...yesterday, I watched Sudhir Mishra's new film, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, and the overwhelming experience coaxed me into writing this blog giving me an excuse to extol about the movie..
To begin with disclaimers, it's not a song 'n dance story, neither a triumph of good over evil; the protagonists are neither heroes nor villains, mere mortals. While it can be deemed political, yet it doesn't make noise, doesn't malign, seldom judges, and raises more questions than provides answers.
If it hasn't confounded you yet, lets carry on..
The title is lifted from a Ghalib's couplet about the limtlessness of desires:
'hazaaroN KHwahishaiN 'eisee ke har KHwahish pe dam nikle
bohot nikle mere armaaN lekin phir bhee kam nikle'
Hmmm, so whats it about anyway, the uninitiated may ask?
The central characters are a bunch of youth(two guys 'n a girl) from a prestigious college, on the road to realize their ambition/calling while trying to discover their own selves, all of which is in a state of flux, perhaps a reflection of the era (turbulent 70s, emergency, socialism, disenchantment...). They take separate paths, but their paths do meet often. The girl is the link. They are all single-minded in their pursuit of what they deem as their desire or calling. Yet they are vulnerable, have a softer side and are more victims than perpetrators.
The period is just before the beginnning of the caste wars in Bihar. The opression, belief in fatality, police brutality are well portrayed. The climax is ironic and evocative.
Its an intelligent movie, thought provoking 'n intense. Such powerful stories are narrated only once in a while, not to speak of the ensemble that breathes life into it. The jokes are often intertwined with ironies. It disturbed me just as much as it overwhelmed me..
To begin with disclaimers, it's not a song 'n dance story, neither a triumph of good over evil; the protagonists are neither heroes nor villains, mere mortals. While it can be deemed political, yet it doesn't make noise, doesn't malign, seldom judges, and raises more questions than provides answers.
If it hasn't confounded you yet, lets carry on..
The title is lifted from a Ghalib's couplet about the limtlessness of desires:
'hazaaroN KHwahishaiN 'eisee ke har KHwahish pe dam nikle
bohot nikle mere armaaN lekin phir bhee kam nikle'
Hmmm, so whats it about anyway, the uninitiated may ask?
The central characters are a bunch of youth(two guys 'n a girl) from a prestigious college, on the road to realize their ambition/calling while trying to discover their own selves, all of which is in a state of flux, perhaps a reflection of the era (turbulent 70s, emergency, socialism, disenchantment...). They take separate paths, but their paths do meet often. The girl is the link. They are all single-minded in their pursuit of what they deem as their desire or calling. Yet they are vulnerable, have a softer side and are more victims than perpetrators.
The period is just before the beginnning of the caste wars in Bihar. The opression, belief in fatality, police brutality are well portrayed. The climax is ironic and evocative.
Its an intelligent movie, thought provoking 'n intense. Such powerful stories are narrated only once in a while, not to speak of the ensemble that breathes life into it. The jokes are often intertwined with ironies. It disturbed me just as much as it overwhelmed me..
