Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

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46 | August 9, 2007 at 2:27 am | 92 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

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Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

“….Ishwar Allah Tere Naam
Sabko sanmati de Bhagwan…”

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Planetbollywood

Once in a life-time comes a film that goes beyond a film, a film that touches one’s inner heart and moves one to tears, a film with it’s sheer simplicity and magic of story-telling absorbs the viewer in to another realm, a film that is impossible to describe in mere words, but has to be witnessed and experienced, and folks, for me that film is DHARM which in my humble view is quiet frankly one of the finest films Indian cinema has ever produced and one of the best films I’ve ever across all realms of cinema.

still4 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

At the core of every masterpiece there is a simple and important message that the film-maker is trying to portray to it’s viewers, and while in most cases these films tend not to do well at the box-office, in recent years we have had a RANG DE BASANTI and LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI which have though I consider these to be the exception rather than the norm.And folks, we now have DHARM, a motion picture that in many ways goes beyond what the angry rebels of RANG DE BASANTI and the not-always-practical satire of LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI achieved, and don’t get me wrong folks, I consider both these films masterpieces in their own right, however personally DHARM goes far beyond what both of these films achieved.

The movie is about a Hindu priest Pandit Chaturvedi (Pankuj Kapur) who is one of the most highly respected priests in the entire city of Varanasi. A man who lives for his religion, soaked in years of ancient traditions, values and morals he is a strict yet lovable man. As any real priest would, Chaturvedi believes he is a disciple of god on this earth to spread god’s message and love as he goes about his rigidly ritualistic world of pooja’s and teachings. One day his daughter brings home an infant (Krish Parekh),the mother of the infant has disappeared and can be found nowhere. Pandit Chaturvedi is hesitant to have the child around the house at first, and when it’s confirmed that the child has been abandoned he makes the decision that the child will be raised in the local orphanage. However the Pandit’s wife Parvati (Suprita Patthak Kapur) has by now developed a soft spot for the young child and requests her husband if they can keep and child and raise if as their own. Hesitant at first, the priest reluctantly agree as his wife lies to him that the baby is the son of a Brahmin. Slowly the child wins over everyone hearts in the house including Pandit Chaturvedi who finds a son, disciple and best friend in the child. The story takes a turn when the baby’s mother returns to claim him back, and much to the shock of Pandit Chaturvedi the lady is a Muslim, and the child who they’d fondly named Karthik is infact Mushtafa. Pandit Chaturvedi in a state of shock and utter despair as he feels he’s done the biggest sin of his life, he feel’s as if he’s betrayed his religion and more-so betrayed god. In a state of recluse and regret Pandit Chaturvedi decides takes a series of different vows and “vraths” to clear his conscience, however whilst his mind is telling him he’s done a grave sin, his heart sorely misses his little son, and the words “babuji” echo in every corridor of the house. In a series of events, riots break out in the city of Varanasi, Mushtafa’s mum begs and pleads the Pandit and his family to take back the little boy as he is much safer with them, however the doors of the house however no-one dares to go against Pandit Chaturvedi and the doors of the house are closed for the little boy. What follows next can only be only described as a journey as Pandit Chaturvedi defies what he’s believed his entire life if “religion” and listens to his inner conscience in the rousing finale.

still2 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

Writer Vibha Singh paints on celluloid what can only be called a map and journey in to the heart of man’s inner soul and questions the very meaning of what “religion” is. Her fluid writing can only be called flawless, and more importantly is the manner in which she has written one of the most daringly bold and supremely complex story’s in such a simple manner that is easy to comprehend for everyone. A story of this nature if more than likely to irk people the wrong way by taking a stand-point which may appear “one-sided” or “biased” however Singh has been careful right from the very start that her aim is to tell a simple tale about humanity, and everything else is a second. He treatment of potentially dangerous material has been written with such a distinct manner that any form of prejudice or irk one has with the movie is washed away, magical.

Singh has also written the screenplay for the movie which again can only be called a class apart, and undeniably outstanding. In today’s world of “excess drama” and “the louder the better” mantra DHARM once again ranks completely aside as a film which lets it’s everyday, realistic turn of events speak louder than any over-the-top melodrama can. The movie can be broken down in to three parts, the initial scenes establish the tone of the movie from the word go and are viscerally eye-opening. Right from the moment we’re introduced to Pandit Chaturvedi pot-bellied, bare-footed and full of; pride as he walks around going through his everyday routines. These scenes may seem long-drawn initially, though once one is comfortable with the pacing of the movie the scenes all start together. As a viewer, we’re given a birds-eye-view in to the life of a Pandit which in it-self is an astounding watch as the level of authenticity that Singh has painted on celluloid is nothing less than a monumental effort. With the arrival of the baby begins the films second act which simply has to be experienced. The bonding between a father and a child has been witnessed on celluloid countless times over the years, however never has the bond been depicted in such a hauntingly beautiful manner. These scenes work on such a simplistic yet humane level as you watch the father and son relationship grow gradually and slowly. As Pandit Chaturvedi slowly starts warming up to Karthik and accepting him, one is overcome by such a gush of emotions which tug right at the core of ones inner heart. The strikingly silent yet amply rich scenes between Pandit Chaturvedi and his wife Parvati cannot be ignored either, these scenes on face value comes across rather casual, however once again the unspoken says a 1000 words here, and how the eyes and mere body language convey to the viewer the relationship between the two is stunning. The third act, and by far the darkest, most complex and certainly bravest is certainly a stirring watch. The entire act is almost dialogue-less with a series of “shlokas” and “bhajans” interspersed as Pandit Chaturvedi tries to “cleanse” himself of the “sin” he’s committed only to realise what the right path is. A standing ovation Vibha Singh, I sincerely look forward to any cinema you’re associated with in the future. Singh’s stunning poetic dialogues are a rare treat for the viewers, the chaste Hindi spoken in the film is rarely seen in Hindi cinema, and gels with the film perfectly.

still9 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

Never has a debutant director got a movie so right in every sense, and frankly Bhavna Talwar makes what can only be called the most “accomplished” film from a debut director ever to the extent one would be hard-pressed believing that this is her debut film. Simplicity is the key, and Bhavna Talwar’s sensitive, acute and compassionate vision never lets go of this mantra. It would’ve been easy for Talwar to turn this movie in to a “loud” affair with scenes which scream “look at me, I’m forcing what I think is right down your throat”, but she doesn’t. It would’ve been easy for Bhavna Talwar to shamelessly turn this in to a weepy melodrama which scams us emotionally in to thinking this movie is a masterpiece, but she doesn’t. It would’ve been easy for Bhavna Talwar to irk Hindu’s and Muslim’s both the wrong way given the powerful message the movie conveys, but she doesn’t. It would’ve been easy for Bhavna Talwar to turn this in to an over-long lecture about “rights” and “wrongs” and in turn boring the viewer completely, but she doesn’t. She gets every step right, and is perfection personified as far as a director goes. Right from the initial scenes when an “untouchable” bumps in to a Pandit by accident only to be hounded by an angry mob, to the scenes which show Pandit Chaturvedi bonding with his new son, to the final sequences with the angry riots Talwar is in complete control.

still11 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

The vast knowledge Talwar posses on the subject matter she is directing itself alone is quiet a feat and her attention to detail leaves the viewer in complete awe, however it’s that merged with her ability to tell a almost fable-like story with heart and soul is what catapults DHARM in to something else. Ultimately DHARM is a humane tale, and though Talwar’s main aim is to send a message to audiences, it’s the manner in which the two are seamlessly sewn together which makes DHARM stand out. The final sequence, as Pandit Chaturvedi walks down the riot-ridden gully of Varanasi with little Mustafa clutching is hand is one that bought on a surge of endless tears streaming down my face as the sheer compassionate, honesty, beauty and humanity that was being portrayed. I bow to you Bhavna Talwar…

still8 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

At the core of DHARM lies a performance so powerful, so evidently complex yet so effortlessly portrayed by a man whom in my humble opinion is the finest actor Hindi cinema has ever produced; Pankuj Kapur. From the upright, pompous and arrogant Brahmin in the first half to the questioning and ultimately compassionate Pandit of the second half the man (yet again) delivers a performance that is so perfectly enacted it would be unfair to call it anything but an institute in acting. This film wouldn’t have worked without Pankuj Kapur, and he completely surrenders himself to the character by becoming Pandit Chaturvedi. . Not once did I feel like I was watching Inspector P.K from RAAKH, the sly sleuth KARAMCHAND JASOOS, the Kashmiri “jihad” Liyaqat from Mani Rathnam’s ROJA, Pannu Technicolour from RAM-JAANE Mussaddillal from OFFICE OFFICE, Abbaji from MAQBOOL, Professor Tiwari from SEHAR or Jamwaal from DUS. The level of effort and understanding that Kapur puts in to his character is awe-inspiring. His get-up, body language, delivery, expressions and eye movements are heightened to a level of perfection rarely seen in Indian cinema. Just witness his bonding sequences with his new son, or the entire finale. The gamut and range of emotions Kapur brings forth as Pandit Chaturvedi faces his extremely difficult dilemma caught between his commitment to society and religion and his heart, this is a performance that remains etched in one’s memory long after the final reels have finished, and as the tagline rightly says…4 years of childhood challenge 4000 years of religion. Standing ovation Mr. Kapur..yet again.

still10 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

The supporting cast in the movie is in terrific form to say the least, despite Kapur’s extremely towering performance. Supriya Patthak Kapur is excellent in her part, be it the obedient wife or the doting mother, the talented actress gets a substantial role after a long time(RGV hardly did justice to her in SARKAR) and performs with aplomb. Krish Parekh delivers one of the most natural and heart-felt performances from a child artiste. The boy is simply adorable, and elevates the entire proceedings with the simplest of scenes and dialogues. His “Ssshhh, babuji pooja karr rahe hai” is as cute as it is heart-breaking in the latter sequences when he goes back to his original mother, or when the doors are shut on him. The overlooked K.K Raina makes his presence felt after a long time. Raina earlier played Sunny Deol brother in Santoshi’s GHATAK and Manoj Bajpai’s twisted and demented brother in Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra’s AKS but he will always be known for his award-winning dialogues in GHATAK, CHINAGATE and PUKAAR.

still6 Akshay Shah watches DHARM (Hindi, 2007)

Hrishita Bhatt plays her part well, and though her entire track was relevant to the story entirely, it could’ve been juxtaposed in to the proceedings more tightly. Pankaj Tripathy is fabulous, and delivers a stunning performance. Dayashankar Panday is very effective in his part.

Technically the movie is nothing less than a magnificent and opulent painting. Nalla Muthu’s camerawork gloriously paints a visual treat for the viewer’s eyes. Wasiq Khan’s art-work is award-worthy; Asif Ali Shahikh’s editing is spot-on. Sonu Nigam is at his best as he renders the film’s theme song to utmost perfection. Dileep Subhramanium’s sound is excellent.

Bhavna Talwar, I can only pray that this review somehow gets to you as I would like to sincerely thank you for what I can only describe as a gift which I will cherish for a lifetime. In return, the least I can do is spread more awareness about DHARM…

Overall Rating: Masterpiece-10/10

Yours Sincerely,

Akshay Shah

http://aakshayshah.blogspot.com/

Promo

A note from Bhavna Talwar:

“Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life, it is believed. People from the world over have tended to turn to this way of life when faced with ‘spiritual crises’. Unfortunately, Hinduism itself is facing a spiritual crisis.

In India, animosity has been infused amongst Hindus and Muslims, two communities that have co-existed here for centuries. Militant Hindus are being created to fight back the ‘Jihad’ or Islamic religious wars that certain Muslims seem to be fighting the world over.

This is extremely unfortunate as the Vedas (Hindu Scriptures) prescribe – ‘Manavta Paramo Dharma’ which means that Humanity is every Hindu’s prime duty. It can also be interpreted as – Humanity is the only religion.”

DHARM

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There Are 46 Responses So Far. »

satyam 9 August 2007
06:32:06 am

Very interesting stuff Akshay! I hadn’t even heard about this film!

Qalandar 9 August 2007
07:49:47 am

Wow, that’s quite a recommendation– must check this film out, sounds like a must-watch…

Ravi 9 August 2007
08:59:33 am

Akhsay, your glowing recommendation will make me check this movie out.

Excellent review, Akhsay as allways.

henry 9 August 2007
10:56:50 am

Agree with Akshay. This is a great movie.

itsvivek4u 9 August 2007
12:12:56 pm

hey akshay..
i hve been for the dvd of the film. Is it out yet? I haven’t seen it here in US. Its not even available on any of the torrent websites. I have heard so many good things about this movie, that I am very eager to watch it.

My recommendation : If you haven’t seen SWAMI, please do watch i. Its such a beautiful emotional movie. If you like Dharm, then you would simply love SWAMI.

akshay shah 9 August 2007
04:18:49 pm

Satyam: Don’t miss this..

Q/Ravi: it most definetly is a must watch!

Vivek: SWAMI has been on my list as has 1971..now those 2 i can’t get a hold of:(!

I’ve also managed to get Bhavna Talwar’s email address and sent her an email with my review. It’s unfortunate that she’s focussing all her energy on promoting the film overseas/film fests etc when the place the movie needs most publicity is India! Its a movie for the people about the people….Ill let you know if she replies or not.

In the meantime, Ill continue to promote/create awareness about this as much as I can as this is one time I sincerely and strongly believe that the movie should NOT be missed by anyone….

goodfella 9 August 2007
04:23:32 pm

Thanks for this, akshay. I haven’t seen this film, but it’s hard to imagine Pankaj Kapur could have topped his superb work in Vishal Bhardwaj’s “The Blue Umbrella” which is so far my favorite performance this year.

akshay shah 9 August 2007
04:26:27 pm

goodfella: and I find it hard to imagine Kapur topping his performance in DHARM, though in saying that I haven’t seen THE BLUE UMBRELLA yet…:-) I sincerely believe the man is Hindi cinemas finest actor(in the purest level, minus any star qualities as such).
BTW just about to read your GANDHI MY FATHER review now..

Qalandar 9 August 2007
04:55:35 pm

but this is an amazingly passionate review; you’ve covered every angle here– I’m stuck at work but have already told my friend to stop by the video store on his way home and get me Dharm if it’s available…

akshay shah 9 August 2007
05:14:14 pm

Awesome Q! No other film has left me feeling quiet like DHARM has..I’ve seen it twice. Note you need to be in the right frame of mind…allowing yourself to be absorbed for 2.25 hours without any distractions…

Qalandar 9 August 2007
05:19:25 pm

Re: “Note you need to be in the right frame of mind…allowing yourself to be absorbed for 2.25 hours without any distractions…”

That won’t be a problem; I take viewing pretty seriously, and even among my close friends I’m known as the prick who’ll incessantly rewind a scene if anyone breathes hard during it.

[Of course, a whole different viewing experience is called for when I watch bad movies; then I typically want multiple people to be in the room, as these movies are a lot more fun when you have all the yaar dost poking merciless fun at the likes of Good Boy Bad Boy, Bhola in Bollywood, Shakalaka Boom Boom, and numerous other atrocities -- it sometimes gets to the point where after a few movies like these, ASMM seems like a bona fide classic...]

akshay shah 9 August 2007
05:19:41 pm

Henry: I’m glad you’ve seen this, you have a knack for getting to these masterpieces first(1971)!

A.Shah

akshay shah 9 August 2007
05:24:37 pm

Q: I enjoyed ASMM:( But there was a group of 5-6 of us all hyped up on Red Bull! Ritiesh Deshmukh is a hoot, he’s so natural in these comic roles.

A.Shah

Qalandar 9 August 2007
05:25:01 pm

Re: “you have a knack for getting to these masterpieces first”

Akshay: it’s amazing what all one can get to see if one doesn’t spend one’s time watching GBBB like us…

Magar hamare junoon ko sahih maanon mein sirf shettybhai samajh sakte hain — balke he is the Guru in these matters, I don’t think I have seen any Hindi film whatsoever that he has not (the reverse is of course not true, as he has seen hundreds I haven’t), and it’s one of the few things I envy, but in a way that inspires me…

akshay shah 9 August 2007
05:25:11 pm

“I’m known as the prick who’ll incessantly rewind a scene if anyone breathes hard during it.”!!!LOL..hahahahaahahaha…makes 2 of us..don’t people hate it when we do that:D!

Qalandar 9 August 2007
05:25:38 pm

I liked ASMM, but then what’s to dislike about a film featuring Riya Sen and Koena Mitra?

akshay shah 9 August 2007
05:28:24 pm

Te he he..my thoughts exactly! Plus Anupam Kher in a worthy comic role usually hits the right notes with me…ala RAM LAKHAN mould:D

akshay shah 9 August 2007
05:30:29 pm

BTW if Kapur’s performance in THE BLUE UMBRELLA is one of the years best as well, thats a tremendous effort…2 films..completely the opposite(though both feature Kapur with a child artiste) and both award worthy performances…

akshay shah 9 August 2007
06:01:09 pm

PB has put it up as their official review!Have recieved tremendous feedback for this review (including a european gentleman from Canada through a blog who is checking it out). Hope the word keeps spreading..My one good deed of the year done…

akshay shah 9 August 2007
06:54:31 pm

Q: Yes, shettybhai is amazing, one of the few people I know who can name every TLV Prasad-Mithun film, though i’m guilty of watching 80% of these and I saw SHAPATH in cinema! The entire cinema erupted when Altaf Raja came on….dil e beqaraar ka mazzaaa li jiyee…..lol;)

jeegs253 9 August 2007
07:48:09 pm

Awesome review . now along with swami will watch this in the weekend.

akshay shah 9 August 2007
07:59:31 pm

Add 1971 to the list as well Jeegs if you haven’t already. Heard it yet another spellbinding yet ignored film….

jeegs253 9 August 2007
08:29:23 pm

oh ya 1971 too .

Sameer 12 August 2007
12:16:53 am

I checked this movie last month. Excellent movie, complete flawless. This is a must-watch!!!

akshay shah 12 August 2007
12:18:10 am

Thanks Sameer! “flawless” is the right word for it.

BTW Where you been bro? Seen AAP KAAAA SURRROOORRR yet;)?

A.Shah

Sameer 12 August 2007
12:22:48 am

Ya, seen AKS too. Pretty mindless movie though it can be quite a fun if you want it. Another movie which I liked very much is Awarapan. Very good performance by Emraan and Mohit Suri’s Best Film till date!

akshay shah 19 August 2007
05:18:09 pm

Thanks Sameer, heard good things on the whole about AWAARAPAN!

Qalandar 19 August 2007
05:22:29 pm

Yeah, awaarapan is definitely worth a watch.

Saw Kaafila last night; jaw-droppingly bad. Amazing how a premise that sounded so exciting has been butchered.

Other turkeys seen recently: Aap Ka Suroor; Naqaab (bizarre, but in an utterly uncompelling way), and From Bombay to Goa (wow; but if one watches it with friends there is something there, rancid and well past its sell-by date but there nonetheless).

akshay shah 19 August 2007
05:33:26 pm

Thanks Q Bhai…..AKS I still can’t sit through all the way. NAQAAB I will check out, and another friend of mine saw BOMBAY TO GOA and said the same thing…”Sunday arvo time-pass flick”!!

A.Shah

Shahid 19 August 2007
05:49:39 pm

Thanks Akshay for the detailed review, I had never even heard of this one. I doubt if I’ll be able to find the dvd of this film but I’ll try my best.

Do watch 1971, it’s a worthy and unfairly ignored effort. It’s patriotic without being jingoistic. Some people have called it a masterpiece and classic. I’m not sure about that (it’s too soon to give out those labels anyway) but it’s an interesting film nonetheless.

Shahid 19 August 2007
05:53:46 pm

” It’s patriotic without being jingoistic.”

Hmm, just re-reading that statement of mine. I would say that the characters are patriotic (and they would have to be since they’re soldiers). But ultimately, the bitter ending could be taken as a critique of how India (and Pakistan) has ruined so many lives in their petty wars.

satyam 19 August 2007
09:05:20 pm

Darn Qalandar! I was just getting ready to watch Kaafila!

satyam 19 August 2007
09:06:11 pm

On another note I think the Saregama episode this week was the best one so far. In fact I think that both this week and the previous one Saregama has been better than Indian Idol.

rks 19 August 2007
09:29:32 pm

Saregama Singing has been always better than II-3. They have better trained singers. In fact in terms of singing some singers on Star Voice of India are very good. Check these

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sd5hUtkh0Z4

http://youtube.com/watch?v=C2JnWNpLbus

akshay shah 7 October 2007
08:26:53 pm

Satyam: YOu ever end up watching KAAFILA? or did anyone on NG watch DHARM?!

satyam 8 October 2007
07:30:56 am

I did see Kaafila Akshay. Haven’t see Dharm yet.

akshay shah 17 October 2007
07:28:41 pm

Thanks Satyam, whats KAAFILA like? Worth the time?!

satyam 17 October 2007
07:50:47 pm

It can be tolerated on DVD!

Qalandar 17 October 2007
08:00:08 pm

I beg to differ: Kaafila cannot be tolerated even on DVD…I admire your fortitude satyam. I hope no NGite is swayed by you to actually rent it.

som 17 October 2007
08:04:28 pm

Qalandar, that makes two of us.i tried to catch this on DVD but could not tolerate it.

akshay shah 17 October 2007
08:09:12 pm

I have a copy lying at home, might give it a miss for a while…

I have so many reviews pending it’s crazy!!!!

BTW Saw SAAMY again, 4th time, and I must say it was a lot better this time round, not too sure why! I love the villain here too, but Vikram RIPS the screen up…..Vivek is hilarious too.

This entire week has been re-watches..

Monday: GHAJINI
Tuesday: ANNIYAN
Wednesday: SAAMY

Undecided for tonight, also finished PANAKKARRAN, enjoyable coz of Rajni!!!!

akshay shah 17 October 2007
08:10:36 pm

Also Mp3-MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR is a decent romantic film….these usually do nothing at all for me in Hindi(South love stories is another story…) but this one was very enjoyable,after TUM BIN and REHNAA HAI TERE DIL MEIN (though not up to the same level) this is the first love story i’ve enjoyed!!!!

Qalandar 17 October 2007
11:28:06 pm

akshay: in that case it is time to re-visit this post.

akshay shah 17 October 2007
11:35:11 pm

Thanks Q! Indeed…BTW anyone seen AARU? I think it’s a Hari film with Surya!

akshay shah 17 October 2007
11:47:55 pm

BTW the more I watch Vikram, the more i’m convinced that NO ONE can hold a candle to this guy when it comes to “absolute masala” with the exception of a young Bachchan or Rajni himself. However in some ways I find a “classy” element to Vikram as well which suggests he’s more than comfortable in a Kamal Hassan type set-up as well..