The first ‘wow’ factor of this story is the depiction of today’s India by Kiran Rao and I fail to recollect any other director (story-teller) doing it as splendid as she did. Its either been the king size millionaires such as KJo’s Sam in ‘KANK’ or the poverty of Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog millionaire’. India is of the haves and have-nots and the whole spectrum in between, and Kiran Rao covers this Indian demographics brilliantly representing Munna from Dhobi Ghat to the investment banker Shai from New York.
The story is of Mumbai as much as its people, which has become home for millions born outside of the state; the lucrative charm and buzz the city drapes; a city that allures thousands each day to fulfill their needs and dreams - be it the satiating dose of daily bread and butter or being an actor. Mumbai is the stage and its people are the actors - they do their part of daily chores be it washing by day and rat-killing by night. Some listen to their hearts and metamorphose those feelings onto a canvas while some visit Mumbai for fresh perspectives.
Then we have Yasmin, who is fated to make Mumbai a part of her life even without her conscious independent decision. She makes the place her home being married to a guy living here. She is my favorite in the movie - the demeanor of a beautiful middle class girl who makes conscious attempts to keep her happy through cab drives by the marine drive or (window) shopping for dazzling bangles; making excuses for not participating in the animal wrath of Bakri Id or cooking a delicious meal hoping her non-responsive husband would enjoy it. Beyond all these attributes her fondness for her brother makes her more endearing as she decides to share her life with him over videotapes. Her enterprising behavior to start man handling a video cam and shooting is incredibly applaudable!
Then there is Munna (Zohaib). He’s such a beautiful boy (I probably like him more because he is Smita Patil’s son :) ) and the only one who probably gives the audiences a few laughs through his coy love-smitten gestures or parody of his love-situations.
The story covers part of the lives of Arun (the painter), Shai, Munna and Yasmin and how they intertwine with one another. At first, I am little thrown off with Shai being “into” Arun as a result of one night? Kiran Rao didn’t quite connect to me on that - I mean it takes a little time to be into someone right? Or I totally missed the part where Shai had followed Arun’s artistic life earlier on and so was “into” him?
All in all, this movie is extraordinary with its ordinary pieces. If you are looking for a great laugh, entertainment, purpose, accomplishment, happily-ever-after-scenarios then you shouldn’t watch this one. This movie is about the daily lives we live and it is upon us to perceive the vision as extraordinary - in moments, in dreams and in the things that we touch and those that touch us back. Imagine that monsoon sunday where you willingly got wet walking the marine drive, then treated yourself to a hot chai cutting by a tapari and kanda bhajis, then got wet again, had five more chais’ and stuffed your mouth with wadapaavs. Later as the rains closed, you sat on the wall fences and watched the roaring sea. You probably peeped onto a beautiful stranger and smiled. Of all the life you have lived, you never forget this day because it has been special with its ordinary moments. The only accomplishment is a day well spent - not because you laughed too hard or cried - but because there is something of the day that rubbed on you and you felt like you lived the day.
Such is this movie. It told me, its not about the destination, its about the journey. The destination is only the end and journey is the means. For Yasmin, its not about why she chose death but the days she chose to live happily and share with her brother. For Arun the loner, he would never forget that he wept like a baby over the death of a perfect stranger. Munna keeps our hope alive to dream and make it big. For someone so young, he has the courage to let the fond being of his heart go when he gives Arun’s address to Shai. Shai is our tutor to love in the moment, without wondering and expecting whether who we love shall ever give back what we aspire? She is our freedom to love because some hearts know that ‘love’ is an involuntary, independent emotion.
Many may not find the movie marvelous but the background score is undeniably enticing. It is the score of the back-piper that shall drag music lovers to the cinema halls (or at least websites to download the score).
Good work Miss Rao - just as we expect from someone like you!
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