Qala (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Qala is a 2022 music drama directed by Anvita Dutt, starring Triptii Dimri as Qala Manjushree, Aadhya Jha and Swastika Mukherjee. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes. Its Echo Score is 83/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 59m (119 min)
- Director
- Anvita Dutt
- Original language
-
Hindi
- Studio
- Clean Slate Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Qala About?
The premise of Qala without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Haunted by her past, a talented singer with a rising career copes with the pressure of success, a mother’s disdain and the voices of doubt within her.
Qala Cast & Characters
Triptii Dimri leads the cast as Qala Manjushree, with Aadhya Jha as 10 year old Qala and Swastika Mukherjee as Urmila Manjushree. Directed by Anvita Dutt; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Anvita Dutt
- Triptii Dimri as Qala Manjushree
- Aadhya Jha as 10 year old Qala
- Swastika Mukherjee as Urmila Manjushree
- Babil Khan as Jagan Batwal
Also Starring in Qala
· 9 more- Sameer Kochhar Chandan Lal Sanyal
- Amit Sial Sumant Kumar
- Varun Grover Majrooh
- Abhishek Banerjee Doctor Banerjee
- Anushka Sharma Devika
- Swanand Kirkire Mansoor Khan Sahab
- Girija Oak Sudha
- Tasveer Kamil Naseeban Aapa
- Veera Kapur Ee Rani Mandira
More from Anvita Dutt
One more film directed by Anvita Dutt: Bulbbul.
Qala Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).
Qala Echo Score Breakdown
Qala delivers a richly textured cinematic experience, anchored by striking visual design and a resonant soundtrack, while its narrative pacing and structural cohesion vary in consistency. The film's direction and production values create an immersive period atmosphere, and the central performance conveys nuanced emotional conflict. However, the screenplay occasionally lapses into predictability, and some character arcs lack full development. Collectively, the strengths outweigh the flaws, offering a compelling film that invites repeat viewings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
Visually, the film excels through meticulous cinematography and detailed art direction that render each frame as a composed tableau. The colour grading and composition reinforce the thematic darkness, and the period set pieces are rendered with authenticity. Editing, though occasionally abrupt, largely sustains the film’s rhythm, resulting in a strong artistic execution.
- Character & Emotion 78
The central performances, particularly the lead, convey layered psychological tension through restrained gestures and vocal nuance. Supporting roles contribute credible relational dynamics, enhancing the emotional stakes. While certain secondary portrayals feel underexplored, the overall acting ensemble offers sufficient depth to sustain audience engagement with the protagonists’ inner turmoil.
- Story & Flow 65
The narrative tracks a young singer’s struggle for validation within a patriarchal industry, weaving motifs of jealousy and ambition. The plot unfolds with deliberate pacing, allowing atmospheric buildup, yet moments of sluggish progression and occasional predictability diminish narrative tension. Structural inconsistencies in the screenplay limit the story’s potential for sustained intrigue.
- Sensory Experience 90
The soundtrack, composed by a noted musician, integrates period-appropriate melodies that echo the characters' emotional arcs, while ambient sound design underscores the film’s somber mood. Visual styling—ranging from snowy landscapes to intimate interiors—maintains a cohesive aesthetic palette, reinforcing thematic resonance. Overall, the sensory elements coalesce to heighten immersion.
- Rewatch Factor 80
Repeated viewings are encouraged by the film’s layered visual symbolism and an evocative score that reveal new nuances upon closer inspection. The emotional core, anchored in mother‑daughter dynamics, retains relevance beyond the initial experience. Despite a measured pace, the combination of artistic merit and resonant themes ensures lasting appeal for audiences willing to engage with its subtleties.
Qala Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Qala from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Set in the 1940s, Qala Manjushree Triptii Dimri is a drama about the fraught bond between an aspiring singer and her domineering mother, Urmila Swastika Mukherjee. The film opens with Qala celebrating a major milestone—the discovery of the Golden Vinyl—while a posse of journalists questions her about family ties, mentioning a brother she denies. Through a series of haunting flashbacks, we learn how her origin shapes everything that follows: Urmila, who was pregnant with twins, gives birth to Qala while her twin dies stillborn, and in a moment of rage she nearly smothers her daughter. Urmila becomes a stern music mentor, yet she also warns Qala away from stepping into a darker path as a courtesan.
Full summary
The whole story of Qala, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Qala Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Qala.
How Well Do You Know Qala?
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
Who is the aspiring singer at the center of the story?
Qala Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “ควาล่า” and “QALA/カラ”.
- Also known as
-
- ควาล่า
- QALA/カラ
- QALA/カラ
- QALA カラ
- 칼라
- 卡拉的抉择
- קאלה
- Кала
- Başla
- 卡拉的抉擇
Seen Qala?
Qala FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Qala, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Qala?
Qala runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).
When was Qala released?
Qala was released on November 24, 2022.
Who directed Qala?
Qala was directed by Anvita Dutt.
More films by Anvita Dutt Who is in the cast of Qala?
Qala stars Triptii Dimri as Qala Manjushree, Aadhya Jha as 10 year old Qala and Swastika Mukherjee as Urmila Manjushree, among 13 credited actors.
Does Qala have a post-credit scene?
No. Qala has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Qala in?
The original language of Qala is Hindi.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
