An art film, 'Pankh', marks a very bold step for Director Sudipto Chattopadhyay as it's a movie not for the average audience looking for hardcore entertainment. This film represents a sub-genre of cinema in cinema. 'Pankh' is about how ambitious parents tend to exploit or abuse their children. Maradona Rebello plays the character Jerry who in the movie is a child artist. Jerry regularly plays the role of little girls in movies and thus becomes a super star! His mother Lilette Dubey is behind the set up as an overly ambitious mother who ensures that the child (Jerry) follows his mother's dictates. Jerry wins National Awards playing baby Kusum.
Problems arise when the boy born as Jerry, christened Master Jai for the movies and re-christened Baby Kusum to play a girl, is puzzled to see the physical changes as he grows. He realizes his real sex. Jerry's only company is his pet turtles and when Jerry begins to fantasize about an imaginary and a stunning actress Nandini played by Bipasha Basu. The movie shows Jerry becoming desperate and despondent, taking refuge in heavy drinking and drugs. Jerry is forced to accompany his mom one day to the set one day. Jerry's alter ego, Nalini, follows and haunts him everywhere. He is shattered when his mother makes him face the camera as a young man! Jerry is in pain.
Thus, the story of Baby Kusum aka Jerry is an intriguing and a horrifying tale. It is bizarre and grotesque. But, this film is deep and meaningful in that it seeks to probe the mechanism that operates behind the creation of dreams. The Indian film industry might be oblivious the feelings and emotions of child actors cast contrary to their natural genders. The subject is almost taboo. The movie shows that perky kids delivering effortless performances could end up with a painful future as in the case of Jerry. The film represents tremendous work by producers, directors and its cast who try to bring out the complex maze of relationships: the Oedipal, the homosexual, and the exploitative.
Bipasha Basu, who is seen sporting nine different looks (not roles) feels the movie so also the subject are special. It highlights a very serious problem within the film industry. She denies that the character she plays is based on her. The director was very keen on calling Nandini as Bipasha in 'Pankh'. But Bips reportedly wasn't comfortable. She is the young hero Maradona Rebello's fantasy, but just that! She admits she loved the script and the director Sudipto Chattopadhyay's passion.
The movie may offer some light entertainment due mostly to actor Mahesh Manjrekar who does get away with a few scenes of fun. Debutant Maradona Rebello does exceptionally well, considering the subject. Bipasha is stunning with a superb performance befitting her role. Lillette Dubey, Ronit Roy and Sanjeeda Sheikh do their bit on screen. Lilette at time is too hysterical. Newcomer Amit Purohit needs a bit of coaching. Asha Sachdev fits her role. Music is oaky.
Directed by: Sudipto Chattopadhyaya
Thus, the story of Baby Kusum aka Jerry is an intriguing and a horrifying tale. It is bizarre and grotesque. But, this film is deep and meaningful in that it seeks to probe the mechanism that operates behind the creation of dreams. The Indian film industry might be oblivious the feelings and emotions of child actors cast contrary to their natural genders. The subject is almost taboo. The movie shows that perky kids delivering effortless performances could end up with a painful future as in the case of Jerry. The film represents tremendous work by producers, directors and its cast who try to bring out the complex maze of relationships: the Oedipal, the homosexual, and the exploitative. 
The movie may offer some light entertainment due mostly to actor Mahesh Manjrekar who does get away with a few scenes of fun. Debutant Maradona Rebello does exceptionally well, considering the subject. Bipasha is stunning with a superb performance befitting her role. Lillette Dubey, Ronit Roy and Sanjeeda Sheikh do their bit on screen. Lilette at time is too hysterical. Newcomer Amit Purohit needs a bit of coaching. Asha Sachdev fits her role. Music is oaky.
