Bayaan: A brave attempt that might fall short

Bayaan, directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra and starring Huma Qureshi, takes on a sensitive and deeply relevant subject. The film follows an NBI investigator (a thinly veiled reference to the CBI) who sets out to bring down a powerful godman, played by Chandrachur Singh, accused of rape. Her journey from Delhi to the hinterlands of Rajasthan exposes her and the viewer to the deeply entrenched patriarchy, the blind faith people place in self-styled godmen, and the disturbing complicity of institutions. The godman even runs a hospital, conveniently producing reports that cover his crimes, a chilling reminder of how power shields perpetrators in plain sight.

At its core, Bayaan is about women: about their courage, about the systemic suppression they face, and about the need to give them voice and hope. It is an important story, and its attempt to shed light on such realities is commendable. It is true to its name and focuses on the importance of a brave testimony and the struggles with the political systems

That said, the execution left me somewhat underwhelmed. The script, though tightly written, seems overshadowed by its focus on Huma Qureshi’s character. Unfortunately, her performance doesn’t rise to the level the role demands, leaving certain crucial moments lacking in impact. There were also sequences where the execution felt slightly hurried, like when the head of the commune changes her mind all of a sudden without enough buildup. At the same time, the film is peppered with subtle yet powerful references that may go unnoticed on a first watch, such as the recurring use of the lake and crossing water as a symbol of redemption.

When compared to films like Ek Hi Bandaa Kaafi Hai, which tackled a similar theme with world-class performances and razor-sharp narrative, Bayaan pales in intensity. While Bandaa showcased both the strength of its story and the brilliance of its lead actor, Bayaan feels like a character-driven attempt that doesn’t fully hit the mark.

Still, this is a bold effort by a relatively new filmmaker like Bikas Ranjan Mishra. Tackling such a subject takes courage, and Bayaan deserves credit for that. The case it is based on is very real, and its relevance cannot be overstated.

It will be interesting to see if the film faces resistance in Indian cinema as it moves toward release and even more so, how audiences respond to it.