REVIEW: It's Breaking News

 

What's it about:
Koel Purie is Vidya, a young, dynamic, fresh journalist with an urge to prove herself in her first job as a journalist with Dateline channel. She happens to impress her boss who finds her capable of twisting situations around for the camera, and is asked to shift to the crime beat for a sting operation. Successful at the sting op, Vidya's promoted to special correspondent although her cameraman Rafiq, (played by Atul Parchure), happens to say chief correspondent. She's happy with her job, getting tips and cues from her classmate and journalist Trishna.

One day, she gets a call from a girl called Sangeeta from Pune (played by Swati Sen). Not sensing her desperation, Vidya ignores her. Sangeeta calls back and this time, Vidya heads to Pune to hear her story. Sangeeta complains of sexual harassment by Superintendent of Police Prabhat Gupta (Harsh Chhaya), and wants a way out. Vidya sees an opportunity and convinces Sangeeta that only a sting operation can help her to catch Gupta red-handed.

So the sting op happens, not with the SP, but DIG Dandekar who's been sent by him. Vidya and Rafiq, along with her two team members are completely helpless as Sangeeta is being raped by the DIG in front of their eyes.

Predictably, the channel doesn't telecast Vidya's edit of the footage but shows the raw footage. Disgusted with the whole system, Vidya drives down the countryside to her Uncle's place for a break, who puts her back into perspective.

It's Breaking News then shows Vidya taking up Sangeeta's cause on a personal level. Watch the film to know if she's successful in bringing justice to her.

What we liked:
I had mixed feelings about watching this one. If you watch It's Breaking News as a journalist, keeping in mind it's your profession they're just about to rip apart, it becomes difficult to be objective. But full marks to director Vishal Inamdar for his treatment of the film, which might put quite a few mediapersons to shame.

Watching it as a layperson, though, I didn't feel that. What would a layman have to do with how the media works? He's just come to watch a film. But then, no, the film has its moments where it holds the audience's complete attention. The sting operation involving Sangeeta and the DIG manages to involve the audience, as it feels equally helpless.

The way a news channel operates has been captured in an non-dramatic way – the way it is – including the little humorous incidents in its day-to-day functioning. The performances of all the actors are believable. Swati Sen is a promising newcomer.

What we didn't like:
The film gets to be a drag post interval. It seems the director couldn't decide whether it's to be Vidya's story or Sangeeta's. And, Vidya's love angle could've been better explored. A little more pace and better production values could've made this one a winner.

We recommend: Though it doesn't boast of a superstar cast, the film appeals in its sincere effort to start a story and bring it to its conclusion.

Verdict: 2.8/5

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