The story works to a good extent as it focuses chiefly on one main character and the two women. But something seems amiss despite an upbeat ending, which is a good closure; it perhaps needed more emotional tonic in terms of relating to the characters.
The film dives right into the strong sexual desires of Dev and Paro for each other, but a brash Dev ends up losing her, who in her anger ends up marrying another person. He takes to drink more than ever before and eventually lands up meeting Chanda, who seems equally brash and they end up making a good pair.
It's an interesting line to take - bring a new, seldom-showcased perspective of characters - in their youth driven by sex - being in love, falling out and trying to find meaning. In the original version, Dev ends up in self-pity, which is the key driver of his personality, and here...he eventually detaches from it.
The deal lies in how you portray the events, and as you witness a realistic way of talking and view outdoor locations you enjoy the story. But at times, it tries to be funny for its own sake, which never works.
Kashyap always get good performances from his actors and this time too he is on the mark with his main cast. What's required is more to do with building the character and playing with the events that would have taken this to another level.
A case in point - Dev comes all the way to sleep with Paro. That's his 'driver', to sleep with his beloved. He gets physical but the opportunity always goes by. But then a guy tells him that she has loose morals and he falls for that so much so that when she gets physical, when she is quite alluring, he pushes her off. The fact that he shall be dismissive of her hinges on this fact - he is convinced that she is sleeping around. There is no doubt that he is a male chauvinist but the question is, is that transition believable enough?
Interestingly, as Dev unfolds more over the scenes that brashness seems to justify his behavior. However, his feelings for Paro, which seemed a big driver in the beginning, go off courtesy his anger. But...the fact that he still loves her, rather he believes he loves her has to be convincing as that's the pivot point. What works well is how's Paro portrayed - she is captivating and her (single-focused) feeling for Dev makes the pair attractive.
Another interesting turn-around in this version is Dev's confession in the end that he never knew Paro to love her. This seems a good move in giving more strength to Dev's character, though the question is if that's convincing enough. Again, it kind of works, since the past scenes have focused on Chanda and him, and their great chemisty; with Paro in another world, their interactions make them a good pair.
The film moves pretty fast, and that's what the question is - should it have slowed down a bit and let us see more of these characters? Perhaps what was more required was some empathy, and maybe less clutter. It seemed to go off in a way like Requiem for a Dream, which is truly a class act, which gradually builds the tension,climaxes it and then...releases it. And it's always a challenge to portray when conflict is mainly internal.
There IS a scene which seems 'inspired', unless it's an amazing coincidence - fellow passenger giving a sermon to Dev who eats her ticket as a TT comes to check. The short film, The Black Rider is an awesome piece, but this scene seemed redundant.
Yet...it's great that such a film gets made. And such a film is released. Though...it was a good move considering bare backs and dirty talk would definitely get lot of young adults interested! Yes, it's that and much more - interesting characters, real tone, fresh setting, which makes it quite watchable.
Based on a story by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyaya
Screenplay: Vikramaditya Motwane & Anurag Kashyap
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Rating ***
[Max ****]
{Watched a lousy torrent video on 23rd Feb at Hampden}
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