Dear Gauri and Alia - Wow!
Bollywood movies are coming of age, it seems, if the latest offerings are anything to go by. "Nil Batte Sannata", "Neerja", "Kapoor and Sons" and now Dear Zindagi. Slice of life films with a solid story-line, believable situations and stellar acting.
Gauri Shinde, who had earlier directed the gem "English Vinglish", comes up with another winner, this time focusing her lens on the trials and tribulations of a yuppie cinematographer, grappling with issues like parental neglect in childhood and commitment phobia at present. The whole gamut of fears that plague the "now" generation is highlighted in "Dear Zindagi". Loneliness, addiction to technology and the resultant isolation in actual life, the need to always act in a certain way, emotional vacuum, fear of building relationships, the protagonist faces all these and more.
The film is path breaking in the sense that for the first time, the confused and vulnerable heroine is shown seeking psychological therapy and counselling from a professional psychiatrist. This in itself raises the film above the ordinary. Hindi cinema has so far shied away from showing any kind of psychological malaise, particularly that of the hero or heroine, who are always depicted as perfect creatures. Here, the protagonist, (played by an excellently expressive and natural Alia Bhatt) is an extremely vulnerable, sensitive girl who is assisted by her therapist in discovering her true calling and in finding peace and happiness.
Alia and her supporting cast flesh out their characters beautifully. Shahrukh Khan as the therapist, is as natural and down to earth as he can be. The film's story and treatment are both refreshingly realistic. The director shows that she has her pulse on the youth of today and can deftly portray their angst, moodiness and loneliness.
Cheers to Gauri and Alia for collaborating on this winner of a movie! May Alia get all the praise and awards she so rightly deserves. Cheers to woman power in Hindi cinema!
Gauri Shinde, who had earlier directed the gem "English Vinglish", comes up with another winner, this time focusing her lens on the trials and tribulations of a yuppie cinematographer, grappling with issues like parental neglect in childhood and commitment phobia at present. The whole gamut of fears that plague the "now" generation is highlighted in "Dear Zindagi". Loneliness, addiction to technology and the resultant isolation in actual life, the need to always act in a certain way, emotional vacuum, fear of building relationships, the protagonist faces all these and more.
The film is path breaking in the sense that for the first time, the confused and vulnerable heroine is shown seeking psychological therapy and counselling from a professional psychiatrist. This in itself raises the film above the ordinary. Hindi cinema has so far shied away from showing any kind of psychological malaise, particularly that of the hero or heroine, who are always depicted as perfect creatures. Here, the protagonist, (played by an excellently expressive and natural Alia Bhatt) is an extremely vulnerable, sensitive girl who is assisted by her therapist in discovering her true calling and in finding peace and happiness.
Alia and her supporting cast flesh out their characters beautifully. Shahrukh Khan as the therapist, is as natural and down to earth as he can be. The film's story and treatment are both refreshingly realistic. The director shows that she has her pulse on the youth of today and can deftly portray their angst, moodiness and loneliness.
Cheers to Gauri and Alia for collaborating on this winner of a movie! May Alia get all the praise and awards she so rightly deserves. Cheers to woman power in Hindi cinema!
Comments
Post a Comment