Journey to the dark - a must watch!!. Review on Amu

AMU. When I first heard the title of this movie, I(like you) thought that what’s going to be in this movie? What would this movie be about? I knew that the movie has Konkana Sen Sharma as its lead actor, so  its going to be something special. I was also amazed by the presence of Brinda Karat as a character actor in ‘AMU’.

To all those who have similar questions like I had, ‘AMU’ is the name of a person in the movie. Its not a love story, not a suspense thriller, not a comedy, no,  not a biographical opus either.

‘AMU’(set in 2002) is about a girl who lost her parents in the 1984 riots. Its about looking back at a black chapter in the pages of Indian history. Movie shows it was not as much as the outrage of the people, as it was the political system which killed almost 10, 000 people. Local criminals were given voter lists and they were ordered to kill each and every sikh in the locality.Movie terminates at a highly touching point wherein a TV news channel shows the news of a railway coach being burnt and killing of 57 people. *Riots. Again.

As far as the performances are concerned, Konkana SenSharma(as Kaju) is -as usual- class apart. Brinda(as Keya) shocks everyone by delivering a powerpacked performance. Yashpal Sharma(as Gobind) is first class while the new comer Ankur Khanna(as Kabir)is also good.

Story and screenplay both are top notch. But whole credit for such a mesmerizing movie goes to the direction. Its the direction of Shonali Bose which makes AMU - a classic!

Movies like ‘AMU’ should not be missed. After a long time, I’ve seen a movie so meaningful.

Obviously, a must watch!

Go for it.

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(Since we are almost done with this very short review. Here's something which might interest you.

*AWARDS won by AMU:

*National Award, India. Best English Language Film.

National Award, India. Best Director, English Language Film.

*Given by President Abdul Kalam in New Delhi, October 2005.

FIPRESCI Critics Award, January 2005.

Gollapudi Srinivasa Award – Best Debut Director(India). August 2005.

Star Screen Award – Best English Film(India). January 2006.

Teenage Choice Award, Torino, Italy [Cine donne Film Festival]. October 2005.

Jury Award, Torino, Italy [Cine donne Film Festival]. October 2005.

*ACCLAIM:

"A bold and heartrending film, extremely well made and deeply moving. It’s an important film as it is very relevant to our times.”

*Aamir Khan. Actor

"Having lived through the experience I can say this film is a MUST.”

*Khushwant Singh. Writer

"Where have you been hiding?…a brave and challenging film…simply wonderful.”

*Mrinal Sen. Filmmaker

"A brilliant powerful film. I wept and wept. Everyone should see it.”

*Anurag Kashyap. Writer. Filmmaker

*"I have stopped crying in films because as a director I am conscious of the film making craft. But Amu was one film which made me forget that I am a director and made me cry…I plead with everyone for the love of cinema that they must see Amu.”

Vishal Bhardwaj. Filmmaker.(Maqbool, Omkara))