Mother India (Mehboob Khan)
Salaam Bombay (Mira Nair)
Lagaan (Ashutosh Gowarikar)
There is one thing these three Indian films have in common.
They all have been nominated for the Oscar Awards.
So, what’s next in the list ???
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Little Terrorist
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Directed by Ashwin Kumar, Little Terrorist is about a young Pakistani boy (Jamal), who accidentally crosses the mine-strewn Pakistan-India border in pursuit of his cricket ball. The Indian soldiers believe him to be a terrorist and start firing. It is then, that a Hindu teacher (Bhola) comes at his salvage. He saves him from the soldiers and helps him cross the border again, at the risk of his own life.
The movie is based on a real life incident. In early 2003 - a twelve-year-old Pakistani boy crossed the Indo Pak border by mistake. The then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, amidst PR fanfare, brought the boy back to his family in Pakistan, wiping away the tensions between these two nuclear countries who came very close to war less than a year earlier.
Little Terrorist won an Oscar nomination at the 77th Annual Academy Awards 2005 for the “Best Live Action Short Film” category. The other nominated films in this group were – Everything in this country must, 7:35 in the morning, Two cars one night and WASP.
Eventually, the award went to WASP but the accolades that Little Terrorist got can’t be undervalued. With 12 best film awards and an official selection to nearly 70 international film festivals, it has been one of this year’s favourite short films.
Top Prizes
Winner – Montreal World Film Festival, 1st Prize
Winner – Manhattan Film Festival, Best Film
Winner – Flanders Film Festival, Best Film
Winner – Tehran Intl Short Film Festival, Grand Prize
Winner – Bell Expressvu Award, Reelworld Film Festival
Winner – Satyajit Ray Award, Satyajit Ray Foundation
Little Terrorist emphasizes on listening to one’s heart. The teacher could have easily handed over the boy to the armed forces and freed himself from all the trouble. But he listens to the voice of his soul, which tells him that this 10-year-old cannot be a terrorist. If only such acts of courage and humanity were more common in everyday life…
It’s a story of compassion. It’s a story of going beyond manmade borders, religions, nationalities and distinctions. It’s a story of love and altruism. The entire world today is constantly under terrorist threat, but that doesn’t mean that everyone from a particular country or religion is a terrorist.
This symbolic story of hope is a tale of human harmony conquering all artificial boundaries. Why have we created borders on earth? The world was without borders and distinctions, once upon a time, till man decided to divide it. It is now up to man to remove these divisions.
”Panchi, Nadiya, Pawan ke Jhonke,
Koee Sarhad, Na Inhe Roke,
Sarhadein Insanon Ke Liye Hain,
Socho, Tumne Aur Maine,
Kya Paya Insaan Hoke?”
Cast Performances
Jamal, was played by Salim, a street child from “Salaam Balak Trust”. He has given a natural performance and is undoubtedly the life of the movie. There is a remarkable honesty in his acting.
Bhola, was played by Sushil Sharma, a clerk in Delhi Electrical Supply Company. He has delivered a sensitive performance and looks every inch of the character he plays.
Rani, played by Megnaa Mehtaa (Head Girl of Vasant Valley School, New Delhi), is Bhola’s niece in the movie. She had a very important role and she rose to the occasion by giving a remarkable performance.
Music
Classy. Well written music score - fusion of traditional & western orchestra, with authentic Rajasthani music being the backbone.
Duration
15 Minutes
Monologue
I didn’t write this review on 15th August since I wanted to wish Pakistan on their independence.
I didn’t write this review on 14th August since I wanted to wish India on their independence.
I am writing this review on 16th August and wishing both the nations a Happy Independence Day! May there be peace & harmony between them. Amen…
© Tanmay Singh, 2005
