Kalank (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Kalank is a 2019 romantic drama directed by Abhishek Varman, starring Alia Bhatt as Roop, Varun Dhawan and Sonakshi Sinha. It runs 2 hours 46 minutes and earned $18 million worldwide. Critics gave it 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 46m (166 min)
- Director
- Abhishek Varman
- Original language
-
Hindi
- Studio
- Fox STAR Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Kalank About?
The premise of Kalank without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1945 India, the established world of wealth and tradition is disrupted when Roop Chaudhry, from a respected family, encounters Zafar, a charming and rebellious figure from the lively Hira Mandi. Their different backgrounds clash, unveiling deeply buried secrets and betrayals that challenge the existing social hierarchy. As their connection deepens, the consequences of the revealed truths threaten to destroy everything they know.
Kalank Themes & Keywords
· 46 tags- year 1946
- year 1944
- year 1956
- one word title
- india
- train
- riot
- flashback
- terminal illness
- cancer
- kite
- marriage
+34 more Show fewer
- marriage of convenience
- polygamy
- bare chested male
- interview
- blacksmith
- courtesan
- fire
- bull
- blood
- family relationships
- half brother
- illegitimate son
- child born out of wedlock
- illegitimate child of a prostitute
- family secret
- secret
- revelation
- revenge
- shouting
- love
- slapped in the face
- father son relationship
- rain
- umbrella
- newspaper
- muslim
- stabbing
- stabbed to death
- 1940s
- 1950s
- british empire
- british india
- south asia
- asia
Kalank Cast & Characters
Alia Bhatt leads the cast as Roop, with Varun Dhawan as Zafar and Sonakshi Sinha as Satya Chaudhry. Directed by Abhishek Varman; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Abhishek Varman
-
Alia Bhatt as Roop -
Varun Dhawan as Zafar -
Sonakshi Sinha as Satya Chaudhry -
Aditya Roy Kapoor as Dev Chaudhry
Also Starring in Kalank
· 9 more- Pavail Gulati Aditya
- Madhuri Dixit Bahaar Begum
- Sanjay Dutt Balraj Chaudhry
- Kunal Khemu
- Kiara Advani Lajjo
- Pawan Chopra Dharampal
- Kriti Sanon
- Hiten Tejwani Ahmed
- Nida Bhatt
More from Abhishek Varman
One more film directed by Abhishek Varman: 2 States.
Kalank Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Kalank 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).
Kalank Echo Score Breakdown
In terms of overall impression, Kalank delivers grand visual spectacle but falters in narrative engagement and character development. Critics praised the elaborate set designs, color grading, and musical sequences that underscore its production values, yet many note the plot’s uneven pacing and episodic story structure that undermine momentum. The central characters are often described as insufficiently compelling and the lengthy runtime amplifies a sense of toil. Overall, the film’s striking aesthetics struggle to offset its narrative and emotional deficits.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
Art & Craft shines through its lavish production values and meticulous attention to period detail. Reviews highlight the expansive sets, ornate costume design, and vibrant color palette that contribute to a visually immersive experience. The film’s choreographed numbers and sweeping camera movements reinforce its grand spectacle. Despite occasional critiques of ponderous presentation, its craftsmanship remains a standout element.
- Character & Emotion 45
In terms of Character & Emotion, Kalank struggles to establish resonant portrayals and emotional depth. Observers frequently describe the lead characters as underdeveloped or lacking chemistry, with performances that feel statically composed within the ornate setting. While moments of nuanced interaction emerge briefly, they are insufficient to generate lasting emotional engagement. Consequently, the film’s principal figures often fall short of imbuing the narrative with compelling human stakes.
- Story & Flow 35
When it comes to Story & Flow, Kalank’s narrative is frequently criticized for its sluggish pace and disjointed progression. Commentators remark on episodic structure and slow-motion sequences that detract from forward momentum, leaving audiences pitched into scenes lacking clear connective drive. Occasional bursts of drama and intrigue fail to cohere into sustained engagement. As a result, the plot’s uneven execution undermines the film’s overall momentum and clarity.
- Sensory Experience 75
Concerning Sensory Experience, the film offers a richly textured auditory and visual landscape. The Pritam-led soundtrack and sweeping orchestral arrangements receive praise for complementing the ornate visuals, while the color grading and cinematographic framing establish a cohesive stylistic identity. Sound design accentuates the scale of both intimate and large-scale sequences. Overall, the sensory elements present a polished and evocative cinematic atmosphere.
- Rewatch Factor 30
In terms of Rewatch Factor, Kalank’s lengthy runtime and narrative unevenness limit its repeat viewing appeal. Though the film’s opulent visuals and musical set pieces retain some allure, the story’s pacing issues and fragmented emotional arcs discourage subsequent engagement. Occasional highlights may warrant revisiting individual scenes, yet the overall experience lacks sufficient narrative cohesion to sustain enduring interest. Thus, its replay value remains modest.
-
IMDb 3.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 37% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 43%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 56% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
69 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Kalank Plot Summary
What happens in Kalank from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lahore, 1946: After receiving the devastating diagnosis of cancer, Satya Chaudhry (Sonakshi Sinha) returns to her roots in a small village in Rajputana. Understanding that her time is limited, she seeks out her childhood friend Roop (Alia Bhatt) to look after her husband, Dev Chaudhry (Aditya Roy Kapur), who manages a progressive newspaper. Roop agrees, but only on the condition that she marries Dev, a proposal Satya reluctantly accepts.
Full summary
The whole story of Kalank, scene by scene
Kalank Box Office
Kalank grossed $18 million worldwide. $2.7 million came from the US and Canada and $15.3 million (85%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$18M
- US & Canada
- $2.7M
- International
- $15.3M
Kalank Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Kalank.
How Well Do You Know Kalank?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What reason prompts Satya to return to her ancestral village?
Kalank Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “ด้วยรักและแรงแค้น” and “Петно”.
- Also known as
-
- ด้วยรักและแรงแค้น
- Петно
- Stigma
- 卡兰克
- Порок
- Damga / Kalank
- 오명
Seen Kalank?
Movies Like Kalank
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kalyug and Kal Aaj Aur Kal.
Kalank FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Kalank, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Kalank?
Kalank runs 2 hours 46 minutes (166 minutes).
When was Kalank released?
Kalank was released on April 17, 2019.
Who directed Kalank?
Kalank was directed by Abhishek Varman.
More films by Abhishek Varman Who is in the cast of Kalank?
Kalank stars Alia Bhatt as Roop, Varun Dhawan as Zafar and Sonakshi Sinha as Satya Chaudhry, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Kalank make at the box office?
Kalank grossed $18 million worldwide ($2.7 million domestic, $15.3 million international).
How is Kalank rated?
Kalank has 3.7/10 on IMDb, 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56% on TMDB and 2.9/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Kalank have a post-credit scene?
No. Kalank has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Kalank in?
The original language of Kalank is Hindi.
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