Aankhon Dekhi
Well, what do i say about a movie, which not many would have even heard the name of. A movie which doesn't boast of any of the usual star power of Bollywood masala movies . A movie , which in case you had a busy weekend, would have been off the theaters by the 2nd week of its release, But nonetheless, "A man has got to do, what a man has got to do"
This Movie is about the life and transition of a very ordinary man called Bauji. Bauji works as a ticketing agent with a small non descript travel agency & lives in the traditional joint family set up with his wife, 1 elder daughter, a good for nothing son, a reticent & shy younger brother & his family(played by the Producer Rajat Kapur) Now for all who dont know who Rajat Kapour is, He has been the harbinger of offbeat cinema in India for a long time - His 1st movie Raghu Romeo. was one of the 1st of its kind, unorganized crowd sourcing funded film. He has also been a veteran theater performer & movie actor, best known for his work as "Rajesh Thadani" in Bheja Fry (now memory cells start jogging, isnt it). He also burst on Indie Bollywood scene with a cameo as Preity Zintas "Mahesh Uncle" in the Cult Movie "Dil Chahta Hai"
Incidentally, Aankhon Dekhi, the money was funded by one of Rajat Kapurs fans based out of Dubai. As there were no producers available for the movie, Kapur had decided to make this into a play, when the Angel appeared
Sanjay Mishra, plays the maverick Bauji, who has a sudden transition & starts questioning the basic tenets of life which have been forcibly hardwired into our system, the set of beliefs, thoughts, value system . How we blindly accept & follow all that has been hardwired into our minds, due to the forcible conditioning, years of bias, prejudice, that beyond a point, we tend to just become bl;ind followers & stop questioning even the basics. Just like we are on the Lifes rat race for survival & financial freedom without ever questioning the purpose, similarly our beliefs, value systems, notions of right & wrong, god, religion, are actually not our own, but years & decades of biased & judgmental conditioning. Bauji, the protagonist, is trying to change & challenge his beliefs without forcing others
The theme is clearly universal, however in Aankhon Dekhi, the interesting part is that the backdrop for this is very unusual . Firstly the transition is seen in a man, who is past his prime & on verge of retirement from work, add to that, the Protagonist is not a personality whose an Influencer, but rather a Laggard from the society is moved into the bandwagon of change.It makes sense to reflect that actually,most revolutions are actually supported, sustained & driven by laggards of the society.Its just that when a "Influencer" of the society joins the movement, it gets the scale worthy of creating revolutions. The movie is depicting that in a way
Bauj aka Sanjay Mishra, looks like no star, behaves like no Aristocrat, Talks like no Orator, meets not to impress, stays in the Old rustic house of Daryaganj or Billi Maraan, in Delhi, Drinks Tea in the Steel Tumbler, sticks to basics & undergoes a natural transition -Most of us have encountered Rebel in us in early teens or youth, when we want to challenge or question everything, thats only 1 part of the evolution- Thinsk about those who probably go through this transition at a late stage in life, Midlife crisis, Transition. evolution, whatever you call, there comes in ;life a tipping point for everyone - The Movie just brilliantly & in a very delicate manner captures that tipping point & does a brilliant job of adding some humor in it
Sanjay Mishra as Bauji, delivers one of the best performances on this subject. Seema Pahwa as the nagging wife, plays her part to perfection, so does Rajat Kapur,as the silent & irritated brother
Watch this Movie & find the Rebel within & Come to peace.....
No comments:
Post a Comment