Sunday, April 27, 2014

'Ankhon Dekhi' What makes it a good movie

This film is about a thought experiment which is so common that everyone wishes it to be done by everybody else. It signifies an intropspective, inbound phase in the lives of many people which can more easily be felt than can be expressed. It lies beyond Joy, Wonder or Amazement. It is something which defies comprehension. When a man(Sanjay Mishra), accidently but soulfully gives himself a chance to question things around him, all, big and small and accepts faith into anything but his own ability, such, is the theme of the movie. Spun around a Delhi middle class joint family which has more family members than the time to address them, all at once.

The most striking feature of the film is an attempt to make it end like the contemplative, dying protagonist who finally come to terms with a certain cosmic reality and wisely speakes till the end, like Kevin Spacey in American Beauty. That particular part though could have been much better, both philosophically and in terms of cinematography.
The rising attempts in Parallel Cinema

I've rated it 7.5/10, the film lacking mainly in the expectations it sets upon the audience in the beginning. However, the acting, the sets and the characters couldn't have been better. It is thus aptly rated at IMDB as well.

The way Bollywood has left us unassuming about expecting films that have elements more than just plots and stars is being continuously challenged in recent times. Films of the likes of The Lunch box, Dhobhi Ghat, I am Kalam etc have been praised and cherished by an increasing number of people.
A man who can more than be credited for creating these simplistic masterpieces back to back, Rajat Kapoor is one of the best thing which is happening to Bollywood and personally an effective reason to indulge into the genre of 'realism/parallel cinema' over the Friday flicks or the Blockbusters.
Having said that, I wonder, what makes this cinema parallel? Is it the Issue? The Ssar cast? Portrayal of reality over sensation? Music over songs? Lesser viewership? Lesser budget? What?
IMO, these are hardly any predicaments which may land a film in the vicinity of parallel cinema and be preserved over being watched. Also, what is Parallel to one can be mainstream to another, right?

PS: Drop in your emails in case you cannot download, shall share it over Google drive. (And sorry for open copyright violations, I'll try and make up with Rajat Kapoor & Manish Mundra) :) .