One of the finest of cinemas ever made. Its a milestone. The movie is not about hindu muslim fights, its not about violence, it doesn't revolve around the love between a muslim guy and an Iyer brahmin gal, its not about a bus journey which gets stuck in a curfew. Infact the movie takes each of these elements and makes meaning out of it. It shows you how a plot is developed and narrated. How each character has a role to play in the movie and its not there just for the heck of it. Rahul Bose and Konkana Sen have done a really brilliant job.
Rahul Bose(Raja) is a photographer and Konkana Sen(Meena
kshi Iyer) is a Iyer Brahmin housewife. She had to catch a train to Calcutta where her inlaws are supposed to receive her. She has a baby and she boards a bus to catch the train. Raja is also going by the same bus and they meet through a common friend. Since she is traveling alone with her baby Raja gives his word that she will take care of her. The journey starts smoothly. During the journey the driver takes a shortcut and while crossing a river bed gets stuck. The bus is full with different kind of people. An old muslim couple, a few college youngsters, Punjabis, a mother and her mentally challenged son. What follows that night is what changes the course of the movie and the journey. Due to a hindu muslim riot in the near by village a group of hindu's are searching for any muslim people. There is a jew also in the bus and to save himself he points towards the old muslim couple who get killed.Raja would have got killed but Meenakshi saves her. Everyone is in a shocked state. The next morning Raja and Meenakshi take
shelter in a nearby place. A police officer helps them out in getting accommodation. All through these events both Meenakshi and Raja come to know each other. They form a strange kind of bond. A bond which can not be defined.Initially Meenakshi didn't know that Raja is a muslim, and when she finds out, she shows a strange kind of behavior towards him. But later on she comes out of this confusion. All through the journey Raja helps her out. They reach Calcutta safely and there Meenakshi introduces Raja to her in laws. He hands over the film roll which contained the pictures of her baby and disappears in the crowd.
Finest Moments
A few of the scenes in the movie are really well shot and well enacted.
When the bus is hijacked and a group of hindus come in search of muslims , this one is done
really good.
The next morning when Raja comes out of the bus and takes photographs, the cinematography is really good.
When Raja and Meenakshi are sitting outside that evening and are talking.
When Raja narrates the honeymoon stories to the group of youngsters.
When Raja and Meenakshi were almost going to kiss each other in the train, this one is done really well.
And finally when Raja hands over the film roll and walks away , Meenakshi shows a strange kind of expression on her face, an expression of pain, love, confusion all at the same time.
The movie got a lot of
National and International awards. Aparna Sen as best director and Konkana Sen as best actress. I personally think that Rahul Bose should have got best actor or best supporting actor for his role in this movie.