Mid Air Stuff….
Deepa Mehta has been a well known name in International as well as Indian Movies. Her Trilogy of Fire, Earth and Water are still remembered for the good work she has done. Her latest movie “ Videsh” offers you another story of Indian Girl stuck in Domestic Violence in Canada. We have seen many films on such matters, Recent one being Provoked starring Aishwarya Rai. So What makes Videsh Different than all those films made earlier? Let’s find out.
“Videsh” is story of Chand [Preity Zinta], a Punjabi girl married to Rocky [Vansh Bhardwaj] who moves to Canada and stays with joint family of Rocky. Rocky Family consists of Father, Mother, Sister, Brother in Law and their Kids. They all live in small house along with the wedded couple. Rocky starts taking out his frustration of the joint family on Chand by hitting her, abusing her and making her work in a factory. Chand suffers all this and tries to forget it by reciting the folk tale her mother use to recite to her. She meets Rosa (Yanna McIntosh), a tough and savvy Jamaican woman who gives some portion which might make rocky fall in love with chand. But something else happens and Chand is trapped in the world of reality and illusion. What is it all about? To find check out the movie.
Story is bit common but the twist in second half makes interesting. Still there are plenty of loose ends at places which needs to be filled, but are left for the audience to figure it out. Screenplay works in favor of the film and keeps to glue to the screen in the second half. But the concept is totally superficial and the makers to does not give the clarification on it. It’s hard to digest such story with Canada as its backdrop, but on other hand it’s this thing only which makes the film interesting. Camera work is good and has captured the emotions and details of Chand very well. Back ground music is good.
Deepa Mehta has tried to make film which has Indian traditions as its backdrop and has ventured in the folk tale section. People might find quite similarities between ‘Paheli’ and this film, but it’s the curiosity which gives an upper edge to this film. She has tried to cut the detailing and has made a fast moving film but at many places one need some or other details Inc the superficial climax. This film is not at all hard hitting as her trilogy but not a bad film either, depending upon how well can you digest the folk tale-Supernatural part.
On performance basis Preity Zinta has given a good performance and this film will be among her top films. New Comer Vansh Bharadwaj has given a superb debut in the negative role. His Frustration, Confusion shows on his face which works in favor of the film. Rest all star cast are good and have performed well.
So bol meri “Filmi Khopdi’ is film mein kitna hai dum ?
Dum hain kutch alag kism ka dum hain, but kahin kutch kam hain. With good Performance and different theme this movies is a good watch, but compared to Deepa Mehta’s earlier work it might not be at par with any of them. Thus making this film a combo of Heaven and earth and settles for a Mid air Stuff.
Ratings : 3/5 [for Performance and Different theme]