Mar 01, 2006 10:21 AM
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(Updated Jun 02, 2006 04:04 PM)
Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi(**)
Language: Hindi/ English
Genre: Drama
Released: 2005
Approx Running Length: 2hrs. 15 mins
Director: Sudhir Mishra
Starring: Kay Kay, Chitrangada Singh, Roshan Ahuja
( Exceptional, Brilliant, Good, Average, * Avoidable)
Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi is sensitive in parts but is a great example of 'confused' art movie that tends to strike a balance between what sells and what appeals to heart. A disturbing movie that fails to make a lasting impression.
I would like to remind people of a story about a King who hired some craftsman to design his dress. They duped the king of lots of money and presented to him a dress the only 'wise' could see. The king did not see anything but he paid them some reward and let them go. He wore this dress the following day during a procession and everyone admired his dress despite his being 'nude'. Only a kid pointed out 'Look King is not wearing anything.'
Like that kid, I am not afraid to call this average movie an average one despite the 'wise' critics all over praising it and hailing it as a delightful and path-breaking cinema.
In short: Watch this movie only if you have always (falsely) believed that you are one of the connoisseurs of cinema and you should watch something that is (falsely) critically-acclaimed all over.
The highlights:
It is different and fools you in believing that you are watching a cinema of high standards.
Chitrangada Singh has done well along with Shiny (Roshan) Ahuja.
The let-downs:
- Not a single character is etched perfectly. All character sketches are inconsistent.
Plot, Characters and the rest
HKA is a story set during the Emergency years in India during Indira Gandhi's rule.
This is a film about dirty politics, unholy passion and unrealistic ambitions. Three confused individuals are groping in darkness of their stupidity looking for their own destiny that surely seems not so bright. Despite being set against the backdrop of the forgetful years of Emergency, it fails to evoke any emotions - partly because it is not the central theme of the movie and partly because of faulty execution.
This movie has been projected as a nation's journey in search of its identity. Also it has been touted as India's first political epic. IF promiscuity of a lady, her ever-changing
ambitions and every man falling for that lady IS Indian politics then it surely is the first and the only political saga!
This movie is about a lady Geeta who is in fact the central character of the movie. everything revolves around her. If you delve deeper, you will find out that Shiny Ahuja's character is the protagonist in a way but then it is all about Geeta. She wants physical love and gets it, she wants a husband and gets it, she wants physical lov back and she gets it, she wants to support someone she does it, she wants to let him go she does it. She surely is the one who gets everything that she wants. Despite being in the villages of the eastern India she is unable to shed her accent. I wonder how much preparation went into this role.
Kay Kay is a big disappointment and it is his worst effort so far. I hope he chooses his films wisely in future. Nothing to talk about his 'oft confused' character and his non-happening antics. As an actor he has failed to deliver - partly because of his half-hearted effort and a bit of it due to lack-lustre direction.
Roshan (Shiny, as he is now known) Ahuja gets the best character. He is less confused about what he wants out of life. He wants Geeta. He gets money, fame et al but he would do anything for Geeta. Stupid guy! He gets what he deserves for his stupidity towards the fag end of the movie but you will surely feel sad for this guy as you can relate to his stupidity.
Camera is a little hazy at times and shaky most of the times. Lighting is not appropriate and you do not get the feel of the real scenario. Except for some of the village scenes, rest are not executed well. Too much importance to one character does not translate into a good characterization of even that (Geeta) character. All other characters are crude and half-baked including those of Police in village.
A wrong represntation of the 'Naxalbaadi' movement hurts the most. It is just touched upon but the ideals and the real issues with them is not explored.
Only time you would smile would be the opening of the movie that talks about the anachronism in Nehru's Independence-day speech.
Background score with Shuba Mudgal singing at the top pitch of her voice has some moving effect and that is probably the only saving grace of this awfully confused movie.
This movie is a little ahead of being an average fare and far behind being a good one. Sudhir Mishra may get accolades due to the hype created but he must know within,
deep within, that he has made a not-so-honest movie. For me this movie is nothing more than mediocrity.
