I typically don't write about movies that I like but this one had to be the exception. More so, because everywhere in the web, the diatribe against it includes phrases like loose plot, direction less direction, good songs but slow to death etc. What I am going to contend here is that the movie is in fact a strong plot and artistically directed.
I'll start with a cliche sentence - Anwar grows on you. The movie is about love and that's it - only love. Hindu-Muslim tension, farcical media and hypocrite politicians are just peripheral wings of a masterfully crafted core story or stories as you may call it. To enjoy the full glory of it, don't see it as a conglomeration of multiple distinct stories but look for pattern that emerge from each story. The central theme of each story is Love (sic). And the salient points that emerge from them are:
- It is basic human desire to be loved and love. The strongest of the emotion craves for a subject on whom to shower all that it has. Master Pasha: Pyaar karo anwar, pyaar. Pyaar ke bina jindagi kitnee neeras hai.
- And love, as much as it is pure, is also impartial in residing among human's heart. Be it a swine or an innocent lad, a hypocrite politician or a cunning journalist, it finds a place in each heart.
- Howsoever basic or universal this emotion may be, it is a taboo in contemporary indian society. A feeling that is to be felt shameful for. Ironically though, given that the myths and legends of India has been full of love display. An overused mythological couple, in this movie and at many other places is Krishna and Meera as a symbol of pure love.
- Coming back, movie also comments that harboring this emotion has its flip side as well. It can bring unimaginable pain. And this is where I find movie's strength lies. It has taken up this point so indifferently and yet so frequently that it is hard to miss it. Going where other bollywood flicks tremble, Anwar shows that this pain is caused when our love blinds us to see any imperfection or any limitation in the subject of our love. A relegation to apotheosis as one may call it. And soon this dream shatters, coz we are, in the end, mere mortals ! Be it Mehru's unfaithfulness, deepti suddenly seeing a bhikhari (bum) in Master Pasha or refusal of love by Miss DM to Minister, it all shows what humans are made up of - an idealism fancying beast with feet cuffed to ground.
Besides, the background flute music (another reference to Lord Krishna ?) and rhythimic camera work gives a poetic expression in movie's narrative. Needless to say, I fairly enjoyed the movie and if you have been accusing Anwar of loose plot, this might be a good time to revisit it!
Mood: Contemplative and romantic. Should watch my favorite ghazal now.
