It is the performances which makes this film. Manjrekar elicits fine performances from his largely unknown cast – Karan Patel as Naru, Veena Jamkar as Manju and Siddharth Jhadav as Speed breaker are especially good. He shoots his characters’ emotions in tight comprehensive close-ups but wastes no time shedding excessive tears over their lives.
The real stars of this film are other faces, some of whom we see for the first time in a Hindi feature : Veena Jamkar, the daughter who goes from one starving mill worker to another, Karan Patel, her hot-headed brother who veers towards the local goon, Siddharth Jadav, who’s called, deliciously, Speed breaker. Karan Patel and Siddharth Jadhav, who plays speedbreaker, the stammering buddy of Naru are super duper.
They are the life of the movie and each light up the scene whenever they come on. Naru and his group of urchins who walk away with all your applause as they create one of the most scariest pictures of what hunger and hopelessness can do a generation of young people.
Karan portrays pain hurt humiliation angst compromise and anger with complete authority. It’s a sensational performance especially by him, which will make people sit up and notice this supremely talented actor.
Seema Biswas as the mother is absolutely unforgettable, Shashank Shende, Sachin Khedekar as the Union Leader and Kashmira Shah all chip in to make life in the chawl more colourful and believable.
Great performances by not so famous performers!
Rating:
3 / 5