Aug 31, 2005 02:31 PM
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(Updated Aug 31, 2005 02:31 PM)
Another cinematic applause that was doomed to go unheard. That, the trade pundits can very well say about a film like Hazaaron Khwaaishen Aise. But then, why to even lower the stature of such films by comparing them with those dhinchak glossy hits. (I recently read that Bobby Deol's Barsaat is turning out to be huge hit in North. Look at the 'bulging' posters and you know why).
Films like Hazaaron... never resort to any such cheap or fake titilations. Because they arent made with a mindset of 'generating money'. Right from the first word of the script, to the last shot canned, its all about making good cinema. On a personal note, Hazaaron..appeals to me more because of Kay-Kay's presence in it.
The story has been much talked about in many reviews here. So I would rather talk about the other aspects.
Hardly any films have been made on the emeregency era. The mall going, MMSing generation, and even a generation before that , is not quite aware of those times of unrest. And to tell the real story by detailing the politics, the mind cuts itself off. Hence, Hazaaron...gives us a beautiful setup, capturing the mood during that time in a correct manner, on a wide scale - across India. It gives us an insight of how the cancer of corruption got worsened and babu giri began to cripple India.
The fact that all the three lead characters were not 'stars', made the film more authentic and appealing. 'Characters were well etched, and logoically defined in their behaviour and changing mindset. Situations like the police trying to kill Vikram in the fields leaves you numb. This brings me to Vikram' (Shiny Ahuja) - he was mindblowing. So were Geeta (Chitrangada) and obviously Siddharth (Kay-Kay).
The quick moments of passion shared between Siddharth and Geeta were honest in approach and not at all laced up. It also reflected upon the changing India, who was shedding her inhibitions at the turn of the decade.
I remember the title track, which was ofcourse a recitation of the Mirza Galib's masterpiece - which also lends itself to the title.
But yes, coming back to the low awareness that exists today, about those turbulent times - Hazaaron is not a factsheet from that time. Meaning, just by watching the film, one cannot deduce the reasons of unrest or conflict clearly. This, I feel is an opportunity missed, when the canvas was ready to depict everything.
At the risk of sounding haughty, I must say, Hazaaron..is a thinker's film. Hard core Karan Joharias might choose to stay off. But that will not deter hazaaron Sudhir Mishras to keep making such amazing films. Because, laakhon audience like us, are waiting to applaud!
