Lootera: When characters became landscapes and landscapes became characters ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Exactly 3 years ago, when I walked into the theater along with my friend, she remarked, “This looks like a typical boys’ film –I don’t have much hopes.” When we exited, both of us were speechless after having witnessed one of the most mature products in Indian Cinema ever. Vikramaditya Motwane had arrived. With a masterpiece. So, when I went to watch Lootera on Friday, (after having tracked the movie for almost a year), I had loads and loads of expectations. The most unconventional lead pair in recent times on screen, in their most unconventional roles ever, was definitely a “watch at your own risk” disclaimer. But, little did I know that Ranveer and Sonakshi were going to deliver their best performances ever – and mark my words – for a long, long time to come, as Varun and Pakhi respectively. Motwane’s take on O Henry’s “The Last Leaf” can’t be compared to the story in entirety, because it forms a minute albeit decisive portion of the screenplay. Starting off with the minimalistic Pujo celebrations in the 50’s in a small village Manikpur, the first shot of the movie sends a clear message – “The devil is in the details”. Vintage cars, “The Statesman”, references to Dev Anand’s Baazi, are just a few examples you will need to get transported into that era. And Motwane unleashes the devil on the audience for a good, long 140 odd minutes. The costumes, the art direction, the make-up, the lighting are infallible. Deft camera work interspersed with superb editing, binds and showcases all the elements of the story on one palette. This is one movie, where the effort of the crew behind the camera shows. While the movie is bright and sunny in Manikpur before intermission, it is dark and gloomy in Dalhousie post intermission – completely in coherence with the storytelling. What happens when one of the smartest lyricists of our generation chooses to deliver his best works for one particular music director? And what happens when that music director transforms from a prodigy to a genius to score a soundtrack that’s a culmination of his career? You get the OST of Lootera. Six marvelously etched out songs not only form an inseparable part of the story but also pronounce the characters’ feelings. “Zinda” is my personal favorite. When Varun ascends the tree, you can feel his pain and when he falls, you can sense his exhilaration. I would also like to mention that Lootera’s background score is epic – especially the piece before intermission. I sincerely wish they release a separate album with the background tracks. Varun and Pakhi’s love story is not different – yet it’s unique. Their interactions don’t need dialogues. The eyes do the job. The music does the narration. The scene where the couple makes up towards the end is so intense and painful, that I hate to admit, that it made me emotionally weak as well. Yet, it has its quirkiness as well in the lines, “aisa koi K N Singh ya Rehman paida nahin hua jo iss Dev Anand ko pakad sake” to which Pakhi replies, “Tum Dev Anand nahin ho”. Barun Chanda is first rate as the Zamindar – so is Vikrant Massey as Devdas. Adil Hussain shines as the gritty cop. But it’s the lead pair that stands out. Sonakshi has redeemed herself. And Ranveer shows a lot of promise. While she outshines him throughout the movie, he steals the show in the last 15 minutes – la “Sadma”. Was Pakhi’s pain more than Varun’s? Was the movie incredibly slow? Has Motwane done justice to O Henry’s story? Well, these are all questions open for the audience to decide and move on. All I can say is that Lootera isn’t a masterpiece – Udaan was, and will always be. Yet, having said that, it’s a movie worth watching for the details and the enormous amount of hard work gone into delivering the finished product. In fact, it’s more than a movie - it’s a painting, a poem, call it whatever you like. And the director, has left us speechless again with his “once upon a time” story. Vikramaditya Motwane is going nowhere. He takes a bow.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 00:39:13 +0000
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