Plot
Celebrated sports coach and former army officer Veer Singh is arrested and charged with the rape and murder of two migrant children. He is also suspected of killing dozens of other children over a period of five years. [5]
Sid Jaisingh, an ambitious and successful defense lawyer, is hired to represent Veer. The case is a stepping stone for Jaisingh's political career, and he is confident he can win despite the overwhelming evidence against his client.
During the trial, and after a prison attack, Veer appears to lose his memory and develops a second personality. He begins acting like a timid, middle-aged Kashmiri woman named Charu Raina, claiming this is his true self. The film's title alludes to this turn, as the new personality requests nail polish.
Jaisingh pivots his defense, arguing that his client suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and that the "Veer Singh" personality is no longer mentally present to be tried. The defense and prosecution battle over the validity of this claim, questioning if the personality shift is a genuine psychological episode or a calculated act. [6]
A psychiatrist testifies that Veer does, in fact, have DID. The court eventually rules that it cannot punish the personality currently controlling Veer's body and declares a mistrial. In the final scene, the "Charu" personality gives a telling look to the camera while playing with a paperweight, implying that the entire performance may have been a carefully planned deception by the manipulative psychopath. The film leaves the ending open to interpretation for the viewer. [7]
Reception
Anna M. M. Vetticad gave a positive review and said that the film "touches upon aspects of sexual violence rarely discussed in Hindi cinema or in Indian society at large." [8] Shrikanth Venkatesh of Sify wrote, "Nail Polish is a gritty film and is gripping for the most part. The acting is generally top notch, with Arjun Rampal and Manav Kaul especially in fine form. [9] Archika Khurana of The Times of India called it a "a compelling thriller which can be watched for its story and most importantly the outstanding performances." [10]
Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express praised the film and wrote, "A few things are overstated, a couple of facts are fuzzily presented, but despite the occasional eye-roll, Nail Polish, buoyed by a wonderful performance from Manav Kaul, and ably supported by the rest, keep us engaged." [11] Prathyush Parasuraman of Film Companion wrote, "If nothing else, this movie is a testament to how well-framed and well-acted films can elevate even the banal writing, even if it cannot entirely transcend the banality." [12]
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