Smart work. Review on Dor

All movies like smart pick-up lines should draw instant attention. Viewer interest should be hooked right from the word go! Dor, in this case is a slow starter. But it catches on fast. The end result is splendid. The first fifteen minutes of the film make an average attempt to catch the viewer interest. The viewer is curious during this time and awed by the background scenes of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The rest of the movie is almost smooth and moves at a consistent pace.

The opening scene draws a sort of a panoramic view of two regions; a village in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The film-maker – Nagesh Kukonoor – draws a parallel imagery in these two contrasting regions. Kukonoor tells viewers the story of two women who hail from these two regions. There is nothing common between them except that they are brought and bound together by the circumstantial similarities.

In the beginning the viewer is left lurching for a story. He is curious and left to grope for answers. The bomb is soon dropped and the story begins.

Kukonoor weaves magic in this splendid new work. Dor spins on a singular theme and around this revolve multiple other messages. The central theme is about a women’s journey through unknown borders to save the life of her beloved to whom she recently got married. The central theme and the subsidiary messages, all of them hint that this movie is actually rotating on and bringing forward the plight of women (read rural) in India. In the end the story pushes forward many thoughts that say – Freedom for women!

Two young women get married and are soon pushed by fate to come together. Zeenat (Gul Panag) hails from HP. She is confident and independent and belives in doing what she feels is right. Meera (Ayesha Takia) lives in Rajasthan and is quite fun loving person except that she is bound by social norms.

Zeenat travels all the way from HP to Rajasthan looking for Meera. (I won’t say why). They do meet after many difficulties. A beautiful friendship nurtures between them. Finally, Zeenat helps Meera liberate herself from everything that restricts her.

The movie in many ways bring to light the following themes–

Plight of women,

Female foeticide,

Do not ostracise widows.

Gul does a good job. Though many times I felt that Pang was more or less playing herself than the character. In Dhoop Panag delivered a similar performance. Though Panag did manage to deliver an above average performance. I want expecting much from Takia. But she did a real good job. She appeared sweet, bubbly and quite an enthusiast.

The best however, was the role of behrupiya played by Shreyas Talpade. He was so loaded with fun and happiness in this movie. Should get an award here.

While waling away from the hall I could not but help notice few of hunks discussing the movie. All of them liked the movie. In fact few girls had come to watch the movie second time around ….this time they were with their boyfriends!

Nice movie. Different work. I am curious to know how and when did such an idea germinate in Kukonoor’s mind.

Cinematography is excellent. The background structure, desert, city, et al, has been displayed really well.

Watch them movie. It won’t disappoint.