Accused Film Review: A Sharp Konkona Sensharma Can’t Save This Stilted Procedural
Star Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Pratibha Rannta, and others
Director: Anubhuti Kashyap
Language: Hindi
Available On: Netflix
Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes
Review Rating: 2.5
Set in the UK, the story follows Dr. Geetika Sen (Konkona Sensharma), a prestigious gynecologist on the verge of a promotion. She and her wife Meera (Pratibha Rannta), a pediatrician, are preparing for a new home and a new baby. This domestic bliss is shattered when Geetika is accused of sexual misconduct at work. The film then splits its focus. The Official Investigation: A patronizing hospital board inquiry. The Personal Investigation: A reckless Geetika takes matters into her own hands, while a suspicious Meera hires a private sleuth to investigate her own wife.
The “Grey” Zone: A Missed Opportunity
On paper, Accused is a fascinating commentary on professional bias and the “Lydia Tár-esque” narcissism that can infect anyone in power, regardless of gender. The film notes that a woman asserting her credibility can appear reasonable even when exhibiting the same problematic patterns as her male counterparts.
However, the film shuns these complex grey areas, opting instead for a vague moral philosophy. It touches on heavy real-world issues—like the fact that in the UK, ethnic minority doctors are often statistically more likely to face disciplinary proceedings than their white peers—but it treats these “racist and homophobic” social media trials as mere background noise rather than central narrative drivers.
The Performances: Ferocity Meets Fragility
The only reason the film remains watchable is its powerhouse lead duo:
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Konkona Sensharma: She exudes a sharp, masculine energy and a towering narcissism. She is intimidating and edgy, carrying the film’s “Lydia Tár” ambitions on her shoulders.
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Pratibha Rannta: She acts as the perfect foil, balancing Konkona’s ferocity with a mix of sentiment, fragility, and exasperation. She brings an earnestness to the crisis that makes the stakes feel human.
The Last Word
Accused is a film of “slight” existence. It crams too much into its script—conservative Indian families, social media trials, and trust issues—without giving any of them room to breathe. Despite the edgy performances of its leads, the result is an underwhelming exercise in workplace politics that lacks the passion its subject matter demands.
