A TOPICAL MOVIE FOR AMAN
By Eye TV India Bureau
Critic's I-view
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Once upon a time, filmmakers used to shoot their movies in the serenity of Kashmir rather than moving overseas to Switzerland or other countries of Europe. But, it stopped soon after the Valley of Kashmir faced widespread violence, especially after our neighbor decided to poke its nose in the affairs of the state of Jammu and Kashmir that had constitutionally acceded itself with India. However, some communal elements with the support of Pakistan never let the peace prevail there. As a result, makers of movies preferred to peaceful shooting locales of Europe.
The movie titled 'Sikandar' is written and directed by Piyush Jha who has to his credit 'King of Bollywood' and 'Chalo America'. He tells us the story of Kashmir that was once considered heaven on earth. So, we find the movie as fresh as dew in Kashmir. There is a pair of two young boys who study together and chat with each other. Thus, they come closer and love each other. Although the main actors playing these characters are only aged 14, yet they have already tasted shooting movie in the past. Parzaan Dastur of the 'Parzania' fame plays Sikandar and Ayesha Kapur earlier cast in 'Black' plays the character of Nasreen who is more intelligent than her boyfriend. When other boys bully Sikandar, she dismisses it as a quarrel among males!
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He lays his hands on black magic that could solve all his problems for him. The dialogues are very apt when she says that it's mardon kaa mamlaa, ladkiyon ka sahara, ladki, ladai and aman. Meanwhile Sikandar picks up a stray gun on the road that takes him to a Jihadi named Zahgeer Quadir played by Arunoday Singh, who is wanted for 72 killings and 22 bombings. Quadir sympathises with Sikandar and trains him in arms and later exploits him for his ulterior jihadi struggle against a reformed militant played by none other than Bollywood's actor Sanjay Suri as Mukhtaar Mattoo. Lt Colonel Rao played by Madhavan, uses force but to reform militants.
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Innocent Sikandar doesn't realize the Jihadi leader's game plan but enjoys the thrill of arms. From here onwards the story takes several twists by depicting the two extreme sides involved in the movie. He reminds us the scenic beauty of Kashmir where the actors used to sing romantic songs loud and clear from atop the shikaras sailing in the Srinagar Lake. Now, we find violence there too frequently, making the lives of the inhabitants poorer and miserable. Jha depicts how an innocent boy fires though accidentally his gun and injures an animal. Never heard of such a thing in the peaceful land of Kashmir in the past.
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The story is topical and very well edited. Some of the dialogues are worth remembering. Cinematography by Somak Mukherjee is excellent inasmuch as he brings alive the lakes, the forests, and the scenic mountains full of fog hanging mid-air. Jha has done a brilliant job by coordinating the different departments like editing, music, lyrics and sound design.
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Acting-wise, both the child artists - Parzaan and Ayesha - have performed their roles very well. In fact, they seem to have improved since their last movies. Parzaan excels while covering his face with his palm to escape a bully. Ayesha acts wiser than her boyfriend. Arunoday Singh though a newcomer portrays the character of a Jihadi very well. Better avoid commenting on ace actors like Sanjay Suri and R. Madhavan. They are assets of the movie.
Overall, this movie comes out as an interesting, informative and also a topical movie. Yes, the message is of aman (peace).
[Public Opinion]
