Sunday, March 22, 2009

FIRAAQ (2009)

Based on several true stories, news reports & events it’s an unflinching true image of Gujarat during Godhra riots. Movie begins with ugly reality of dead bodies thrown in the pit. Nandita Das in her debut film making made praise worthy effort to show the realistic dark side of riot stricken Gujarat from different perspectives of various characters. Being Gujarati, I must say what she shows in the film is almost mirror image of Ahmedabad during riots & it strikes one as one of the shameful event for the state.

The movie has some splendid veteran actors in cast- Naseer, Raghuvir Yadav, Paresh Raval, Dipti Naval & few promising talents of current Bollywood- Shahana Goswami, Sanjay Suri, Tisca Chopra & everyone has proven their credits. Nandita has portrays many faces of riots through the characters- anger, hate, hope, cowardice, anxiety. Most of the stories deliver the emotional punch on several occasions but it fails to convey the higher message from the film like this. What I do not anticipate in the film is its ending. Its like Nandita started with exploring intensity of viewers but as soon as one moves out from the cinema hall the whole experience looks more or less futile & inconsistent in story telling. Infect most of the stories are stretched unnecessarily in the latter half. But above all the touching projection of small Muslim kid who’s running from one corner to another & witnessing ugly aftermath of riots is really striking one & that’s the best perspective of the film which made a big statement.

Ravi K Chandran is one of the best cinematographer we have & he has amply created the tone of the film with his camera work.
Watch it for the noble intention of Nandita’s directorial debut & to witness the mirror image of Ahmedeabad during riots.

Ratings- 6.5/10

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