One of Netflix India’s most discussed releases is an upcoming movie with the director Anubhuti Kashyap called Accused. It features Konkona Sensharma and Pratibha Ranta taking on sensitive concerns, the film deals with issues of work-related abuse, sexual harassment to show its subjects like misdeeds. What was expected from the ordinary way for the usual male-male story-teller is turned in a different direction when it instead turns the line of questioning entirely in a male-female form. In today's world, for a woman who carries on an act of moral rectification, not as long as what she is accused of should have been one of their subordinates, we can think about what society says when it comes to how to think of social power and responsibility.
It tells the story of Geetika, a London-based successful gynaecologist. She lives in her partner’s marriage, portrayed by Pratibha Ranta, and seems to lead a normal life. Things soon change when a colleague accuses Geetika of sexual misconduct. The accusation ripples through her career, her marriage and herself. Power can be abused in every dimension and the film reflects that fact. It also emphasizes that when the lines between men and women are drawn, queer relationships are judged even more harshly, and they are generally misunderstood in society. By depicting a woman as the accused, the film demands that viewers reconsider their beliefs about harassment and power.
Konkona Sensharma stars Geetika as a flawed, intricate and full-bodied character. You don't see her as the one-size-fits-all tragic victim or villain; she's a person with multiple layers to deal with, one character doesn't have to take responsibility for it all anymore. Now Pratibha Ranta really gives the film emotional depth, most notably in scenes that demonstrate how they are starting to lose their marriage. That’s why together they make drama feel real, and relatable.
The biggest point of strength for the film is that it has a big bold idea to do what they do best: reversing the typical MeToo narrative. It raises uncomfortable but important questions about bias and fairness. The dramatic performances are powerful and convincing.
The storytelling has a slow pacing and feels a bit restrained, which can frustrate viewers expecting a fast‑paced drama. Some critics argue that the film skips the deep dive into the queer relationship, and loses potential for greater emotional depth. In some cases, the story isn’t well presented, causing confusion in audiences when they seek out what the story is about.
Accused is not exactly like any courtroom or crime drama. It is a challenging film and provoking for those of us watching to think about power, prejudice, truth. Yes, its pacing may sound preachy, but the performances and motifs are just enough for you to see if you like that sort of multi-layered storyline. It might not please everybody, but it does succeed in igniting contention, a feat few films risk.
