A riveting film on the father of cinema. You watch it and wonder - why the hell no one thought of doing it before!
One also wonders if this should have been a big scale flick, which everyone in India ought to see, but then...this film with (apparently) its limited budget does a tremendous job of showing the story of Dada Saheb Phalke.
The best thing about the film is the focus on the sole objective of the protagonist - to make a film. There is an introduction on how he gets interested and sucked-in by the magic of the moving pictures and from then on, Phalke moves forward facing obstacles and overcoming them to do what he has willed to do - make the film.
The cast is great and Nandu Madhav as Phalke is terrific. Paresh Mokashi presents Phalke as a forward-thinking, family-oriented, obsessive man, who you cannot but love; the overall presentation is light-hearted with almost every scene constructed on humor and comical situation; the old school / generation music adds to the effect thereby creating a fun-loving feel.
There is a clever use of fast-speed shots in montage reflecting the films of earlier times since the frames/second speed was much less (remember Chaplin flicks.) This also adds to the momentum and makes the journey pretty smooth.
Mokashi makes a few comments on the social culture of the times like showing a husband being an equal partner but by stringently focusing on telling just one story the film works very well. It's interesting to note that since the objective is one and the driver is Phalke, his family becomes an integral part of the process since they are the ones sharing the frame; ably supporting him in his endeavor it creates a great atmosphere.
The journey is so interesting of this captivating character who is also seen as a maniac by others that you want to experience a journey that shows his inner self too, and this is an area where the film weaves on a different track.
It plays somewhat from a back-foot and showcases more on the incidents that enable him making the film. This is alright but not being close to this personality doesn't let you be with him. There are not many close-ups or moments when you need to see him weighing the obstacles.
Yes there are pauses but too short; rightly so...the protagonist takes action and keeps going on; yet...you would like to stall with him for moments and take a peek inside his character that's forever forward going.
It's an interesting way to present a film. One can realize the limitations of production and it's great to see what they have done - how they create an authentic period within their resources.
However this is the journey of a man who had tremendous passion and importantly an immensely strong will...to bring-in a change, a new aspect that would alter the social environment of a country forever...you hope you can see more of that.
This is also borne by the fact that the film somewhat ends too quickly for comfort; also as they do a commendable job of building it up and up - rising action - you expect to see an ending that would do justice by going further. It doesn't fail though a better reflection of the man would have been great.
Yes this is a personal thing, and I feel showcasing his real film, which they actually do with the British audience, needed to come-in at a much higher energy point.
In fact, this film could have even dealt with a freeze-frame. Not saying that otherwise it wouldn't work as great, but...here is a film, on a great subject, on a great man, undertaking an arduous journey, coming-up triumph, pioneering a new movement in a country...you do want to stay with this person who is willing to sacrifice every thing to make his film.
It's a great family film too. Backing the man of the house so they can see his ambition being achieved. Yup...one wonders why no one thought of this man before - to do a film on the man who made India's first ever film.
Rating ***1/2
[Max Rating ****]
[Viewed on Mac at Chembur on 30th March, 2010 courtesy Ankur]
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