Question: How you mold your life? Answer: By the choice we make and the chances we take centering on things, people and places we are in. Kiran Rao’s introduction before ‘Dhobi Ghat’ was not much more than a wife of superstar Aamir Khan but with this movie, the helmer in her very first attempt has washed her resume with an artistic detergent and updated it as a helmer who thinks beyond Bollywood.
Kiran Rao in her debut film has told an evocative and complex story of people coming to Mumbai – the city which offers more than pools of money apart from its breathtaking sea face where she interestingly twines the lives of Arun (Aamir Khan), an upmarket artist meets Shai (Monica Dogra), an NRI investment banker at his exhibition. A chance encounter makes Shai believe it can be taken further but the moody Arun is in no mood of relationships…
Shai the investment banker who can afford a sabbatical to follow her passion of clicking pictures is pissed... She befriends Munna (Prateik), the friendly neighbourhood dhobi who happens to be a wannabe actor too, they both watch movies, dig on keema pav at Mumbai bustling Mohammad Ali rd, the girl treats the boy as equal but the guy knows his limitations, it’s a totally diverse world but still they stay together in this beautiful city to fill their emptiness.
Meanwhile Arun gets hooked in the video-taped story of Yasmin (Kriti Malhotra), the simple small town ex-inmate of the house he currently occupies. Recently married Yasmin shares a simple newlywed bride dream, she has an untold story to tell to her brother, the movie is a crisscrossing story of these four people who have immigrated to this city of dreams and how they survive, choose to carry whether they bind or break… How they respond and confront situations…..
Kiran chooses the guerrilla route to narrate her 95 minute story where the proceedings seems like we are watching our friends handy cam, the picture has a lean, almost procedural style, in which every scene and line of dialogue counts striking the notes of emotional distress, class difference.
Kiran purpose is simple, she wants us to meet these people, know them, sympathize with them…… but don’t drive any conclusion and that is what truly fascinating.
The movie makes Mumbai more alluring thanks to the camera of Tushar Kanti Ray which captures the city in each every shade in dawn and dusk. Nishant Radhakrishna’s smart and crisp editing and the berating soothing score by Gustavo Santaolalla is an extra plus, making this mystical metropolitan city the fifth character which holds everyone together.
Films about interconnected lives stumble under the weight of coincidences, not ‘Dhobi Ghat’, Kiran who also pens it turns out to be too savvy to let that happen.
The actors, Aamir (who does a smart job once again) and the newcomers bring an air of weary authenticity to their roles, Prateik Babbar as the day time dhobi and part time rat killer at night is intensely ‘in’ the role respecting the genes of his remarkably talented mother Smith Patil, Monica Dogra as Shai is hot and easy going perfectly modeled for the role. Kriti Malhotra as Yasmin is a welcome surprise, Kittu Gidwani is competent.
All of them make ‘Dhobi Ghat’ a wise and complex drama that accompanies diversity and globalization to the simpler human story of how individuals cope with losses for which they bear a portion of the responsibility.
So, any misses….
Well, Kiran makes a point as a helmer but in the commercial and artistic push and pull of cinema, Kiran’s Mumbai Diaries is not vividly clear to all. The rasikas are definitely goanna lap it up but it whistles doesn’t go beyond the niche ears as the maker doesn’t listen to general demands.
But Kudos for Aamir Khan Productions for believing in cinema of choice and getting better more artistic and intelligent with ‘Dhobi Ghat’ after giving us ‘Lagaan’, ‘Taare Zameen Par’, ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’ And ‘Peepli [Live]’.
‘Dhobi Ghat’ is about something more exasperating than crossed paths; it is about paths that almost cross but don't, and the tragedy of the near-miss. This stirring drama of hungry connection is recommended for true lovers of cinema.
Rating ***&1/2
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