By K. N. Gupta
Cast: Abhay Deol, Satish Kaushik, Tannishtha Chatterjee.
Director: Dev Benegal
Critic's I-view
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FANTASTIC MOVIE
By K. N. Gupta
Cast: Abhay Deol, Satish Kaushik, Tannishtha Chatterjee.
Director: Dev Benegal
Critic's I-view
This Friday's another watchable movie comes from none other than Dev Benegal's stable. He has titled it 'Road, Movie' possibly because the lead character who on road discovers the true meaning of life and love. As usual, he has designed it as a typical festival film. That's why the movie hasn't been properly promoted as is the usual practice these days, and released in selected theaters only. This will certainly tell on the movie's performance at the box office.
According to the movie's story, Vishnu played by handsome Abhay Deol avails the opportunity of driving an antique truck across the desert to be stationed in a local museum. Incidentally, the truck was bought especially from a kabadi. Abhay does it to escape his father's hair oil business. On way to the desert, Vishnu gives lift to a young boy played by Mohammed Faizal Usmani, a migrating mechanic played by Satish Kaushik and a gypsy woman played by Tannishtha Chatterjee. At the same time, he realizes that his torn truck also houses a touring cinema, say, a portable projector. It's another matter that it hardly plays for a couple of times in the film. This reminds us of Dev Benegal's long past 'Split Wide Open' where he exposes mafia.
In this movie, he tries his hand on an infamous water lord who operates unlawfully in the drought-struck desert of Rajasthan. Yashpal Sharma who plays the water lord leaves no water for the poor. As said earlier, Dev has designed it for film festival, so the topic of thirsty India might suit. But, the director only satires it by displaying that Abhay readily deals in water even though he abandoned his father's hair oil business.
Critically examining the movie, we find several weaknesses in the story, screenplay and synergy among the characters. The movie is good for film festivals where the foreigners pity our conditions but it's a fact and cannot remain hidden from public gaze. The water mafia is omnipresent, including the metropolis. And, in desert, this illegal trade flourishes before the eyes of the authorities.
Since a movie isn't complete without romance, the director had no choice but to add it between Abhay and Tannishtha. Yes, it doesn't gel well to the extent it is shown; smooch scene between them. The movie's USP is Abhay's excellent performance plus Michel's cinematography. Remember it that ninety per cent of the movie is shot in Rajasthan. The acting of the cast, especially of Satish Kaushik and Tannishtha Chatterjee is worth acclaim. Mohammed Faizal Usmani remains idle in the absence of good role, and Yashpal Sharma is okay. One cannot but admire the beautiful captures of the virgin barren lands of Kutch and Jaisalmer by the cinematographer.
By K. N. Gupta
Cast: Abhay Deol, Satish Kaushik, Tannishtha Chatterjee.
Director: Dev Benegal
Critic's I-view
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