Twenty-six years after its release, Subhash Ghai’s ‘Taal’ presents a less than impressive viewing experience. The film grapples with the balance between sincere storytelling and a more touristic approach, ultimately leaning towards the latter. Although A R Rahman’s music still shines, the narrative feels slow-moving. The cultural conflict between traditional and modern music feels rather worn-out. The plot, involving city-bred Manav (Akshaye Khanna) and village girl Manasi (Aishwarya), follows a well-trodden path.
Manasi is portrayed as innocent, while Manav is supposedly worldly. Manasi’s rejection by Manav’s family leads her to become a successful singer under Vikrant’s (Anil Kapoor) guidance. The scenes between Kapoor and Rai lack romantic chemistry. The lack of connection between Akshaye Khanna and his co-stars is evident. Ultimately, ‘Taal’ appears as a self-important exploration of cultural themes, however, the film often fails to deliver on its promises.