There are some inconvenient truths that we avoid looking when development is involved. And then comes a film which grabs us by the neck and forces us to take notice of a world different from ours. Director Aparnaa Singh’s Irada brings us face to face with harsh realities in Punjab. Constructed on the lines of A Wednesday, Irada tries to look like a thriller but fails to sustain the initial momentum as many sub-stories cross paths. The film struggles to give every story a fair chance to unfold but loses the grip on the central theme in the process. It comes down to the actors to stop it from crumbling. Here, Singh enjoys assistance from stellar performers like Shah, Warsi, Kelkar and Dutta. But this is not what Irada will be known for. Its head-on take on the overuse of natural resources should be considered an alarm bell. The epidemic can spread to other places even before we realise and if it is in our hands to restrict the menace, we should better act. Also, it’s the age of theme-driven films and Irada has a strong one.

Irada has its heart in the right place. Having picked up a subject that talks of environmental hazards, debutant director Aparnaa Singh’s conscientious streak shows. The film's attempt to educate the audience on the perils of chemical contamination, reverse boring and groundwater pollution that is a harsh reality around urban townships is half-baked. Actually the film’s failing is it’s amateur writing and execution. You can see that the maker is crushed under the weight of the material chosen. The treatment also yo-yos. If intention is everything, you may feel kindly towards Irada. Unfortunately when it comes to a celluloid experience, story-telling is prime. Here, the film falters.