Laali is somewhat a special film that creates its own tiny universe with a lonesome Pankaj Tripathi whose daily job is to iron clothes for a living in Kolkata's suburbs. The opening is a a 9-minute static take and the film immediately immerses the viewer in his inner world and we can see that there is life and emotion. Pankaj manages with minimal gesticulation based mainly on the nuances of his eyes and his smile, it makes you to feel the vacuum of the character.
As time progresses, Pankaj finds a companion and it is an unclaimed red dress, he begins to cheer up and you watch him with excitement and worry. The repetition of motifs is quite simple and everyday story, might even seem pointless as the character ends his day with liquor. The music, radio show segment is attuned to each other and subtly provides a view his world. Overall, Whatever the judgements for the character, it starts to slip away, and we start to feel some affection for this laundryman.
