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Romantic drama

Kalank (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Kalank (2019) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
3.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
37%
worldwide gross
$18M
Echo Score
50
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Kalank (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 46m (166 min)
Director
Abhishek Varman
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
Hindi
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Kalank

· 9 more
From the director

More from Abhishek Varman

One more film directed by Abhishek Varman: 2 States.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

50 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$18M

US & Canada
$2.7M
International
$15.3M
US & Canada 15% Rest of the world 85%
Videos

Kalank Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Kalank.

Kalank | Official Teaser | Varun | Aditya Roy | Sanjay | Alia | Sonakshi | Madhuri | Abhishek Varman
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What reason prompts Satya to return to her ancestral village?

Details

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?

FAQ

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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