Delhi-6
Finally, I had the chance to watch the 'much-awaited' movie Delhi-6 from the director of 'Rang De Basanti' with music by ARR. A good friend of mine brought this movie to my attention, mainly for ARR's music...and when trailers came about, we were very much convinced that it is a 'must-watch' movie for several reason (partly because of the spoilers too). With great expectations set, my friend watched the movie the very next day of its release and ended up with great disappointments. For example, the 'Rehna Tu' song wasn't expected to be in such a context ;-), though it was nice! Having not lived up to his expectations, he discouraged me from seeing it...which eventually proved to be one of the motivations for me!! I liked the movie.
The story is that of a young man (Abisheak B) bringing his granny (who is dying from cancer) to accompany her spending her last days in the place she lived (which apparently is Delhi with pincode 6). He is welcome by the startling(??!!) news of the black monkey in Delhi (which did really happen in Delhi a few years ago, though, suprisingly, it was never spotted later!!). He comes into India with a mindset that granny didn't have anyone in India. But he is suprised by the love and affection of the people who welcome granny and is relished by these 'connections'. However, as the days pass by, the black monkey issue kindles Hindu-Muslim conflicts in his own area. The young man himself is being caught up and fried up for this issue when he tries to mitigate the conflicts! He becomes vexed. He decides to go back to the US and take granny as well. But then, something stops him from doing it. He realises they are his people and he has to accept them for whatever they are: indeed that is life! The director has beautifully portrayed this transition in the mind of the young man - and I should say I could relate it to myself sometimes,though I don't work up for any mitigations of the Hindu-Muslim conflicts.
In addition, the director has beautifully captured the stupidity of the people in India. The cow giving birth, using black monkey to rescue themselves from pressing situations - making fool of others, the marriage issues are some typical examples. The foolish humiliation of the 'low caste' people is also a nice issue that has been well-handled (particularly with the Ramayan drama). Yet another one I liked was the Gobar characterization. I strongly feel there are lot of people in the society who play to the tunes of others just because that is the only way they can make up a living. This has to stop! The police character is so well portrayed - Indeed Indian policemen are so - shame!
The Ramayan drama set up was extremely good, I should say. I was wondering how they are going to show up the flames when Sita crosses the Lakshman Rekha...and the way the flame was brought in picture was brilliant!
The movie ending could have been different.
All in all, Delhi-6 was a movie that I enjoyed. Though India is filled with stupidity in many places, India is still a beautiful place and is fun to be in India. It would also be nice to have a right balance of stupidity and common sense like the one the young man visualizes in his dream.
Final recommendation - See the movie!
It occurs to me that this movie should have also been to the Oscars. It captures many subtleties of the Indian society.
4 comments:
Another typical India whishing India to stay as it is and take up things as it is and go on and on and on.
You too "Rehna jesa tu" dont change at all. Don't improve at all as Indian people.
@Saneo, I don't say Indian shouldn't improve. But there is no point in brooding over whatever is there...and what cannot be changed. So, we have to go on...and do our duty, which will, in due course of time, have its impacts for change. Nevertheless, despite all the stupidities, India is India. No Indian will give up. :-)
Are'nt you bored with all this stuff now. An NRI coming back to India and fells its nice..bla..bla ..bla. There was one movie which showed India as it is, with elegence and innocence, that movie was Swadesh. The story of Delhi 6 was picked from some old bollywood crap, boring, disappointing and humiliating. India is not same as it was decades ago. Movies like Delhi 6 try to portray an image that is quite contrary to the resurging India I see or the India younger generations will inherit. The movie tries to show there is a criminal within every Indian (except NRI's), a highly pessimistic view on a country that is springing out of the shackles that has inhibited her rise till now. Seeing is believeing, so it is high time we stop watching craps like Delhi 6. For readers, the movie is horrific, absured, MISPLACED IN TIME and a never to be watched movie.......JAI HO.
@Prashant
Apparently, I am not bored with this stuff!! I am afraid, the people I have seen in India conform to what they show in the picture! So, I still think it is a present-case scenario. In addition, the movie has beautifully portrayed how people are easily fooled, eg. the escaping of the black monkey through an opening in the roof etc. In my view, intertwining these subtle sarcasms in a story is an art. So, for the sake of art atleast, the movie is good, for, it has such a lot of sarcasms.
So, I see the positives in the movie for which I like it and will encourage everyone for it! :-)
Post a Comment