The other day my friend Homi, who
is a leading counsel for many global entities, sent me a draft deed of a
Charitable Trust he and his friends proposed to start, for my comments. I read
the deed and was impressed by the noble purpose of the proposed Trust. The main
objective is to render assistance in the cases of the wrongly accused and
convicted persons and the reformed criminals who do not have anyone to help. Later,
when I watched the movie ‘Shahid’, I was convinced about the need for such initiatives
to save several innocent lives languishing in police lock-ups, prisons, and
long pending legal bottlenecks and inquiries.
‘Shahid’ is a movie one should
not miss. And I want you to see this in a movie hall rather than waiting to
watch it in the mini screen or in the DVD player. I don’t say this because of
any great digital experience or any multidimensional visual experience in the
cinema hall. I sincerely want the producers of this fantastic movie to get
their returns. When there was a long queue to get tickets for the movie being
shown in the adjacent hall, there was hardly anyone to watch ‘Shahid’ in the
large multiplex where the movie was screened. After just a few minutes into the
movie, my wife and I wondered how such a wonderful movie didn't attract the average
moviegoers. The answer lies there
itself. The mainstream viewers are satisfied by the mediocre movies rather than
high quality productions.
Based on the real life story of a
human rights lawyer Shahid Azmi who lost his life in his mission to defend an
innocent person, the movie very vividly and interestingly depicts the
prejudices, fallacies, and injustices in the criminal justice system. It is not
just in the fascist and the dictatorship systems, innocent lives are targeted and
tortured. Even in many so called democratic countries this is a practice very
few would like to question. Investigating agencies can charge anyone with an
offence on the basis of an allegation, accusation, suspicion or surmise. He can
be raided and arrested. His family members can be subjected to harassment.
Bails can be indefinitely denied stating that the investigations are pending.
Meanwhile, there will be a frantic search to cook evidences to justify the
action of the prosecution and to impose a punishment.
Watching a good movie is a delicious
treat for our senses and sensibilities. Instead of watching movies with nauseating
dialogue, cheap comedies, oft repeated themes, and digital circuses, we should
watch movies like ‘Shahid’. Sometimes, such movies will sensitize our hardened
hearts and we would learn and enjoy real acting, gain awareness of what is
actually happening in our surroundings, and make us think loud to be proactive.
‘Shahid’ showcases an unadulterated presentation of reality in a very beautiful
manner. You might ask, if is so close to reality, why should we watch? You are
right! But we know that reality would bite only when it is re-told by someone
else, because most of us would like not to accept reality as it is.
I recommend this movie not just
for its bold story-line, but for the superb direction and outstanding
performance of all the actors. The expressions of Raj Kumar Yadav who played
the role of Shahid cannot go away from you for a long time after watching the
movie. Baljinder Kaur ‘lived’ in her role as the mother of Shahid. I have no
words to describe her marvellous performance. Prabhleen Sandhu, as Mariam enthralls
us with her mature performance and expression of finer emotions beautifully. KayKay Menon as ‘War saab’ did a wonderful job. Everyone in this movie acted
fabulously and one should congratulate the director Hansal Mehta for this. He
won the Best Director award for Shahid at the 13th New York Indian Film
Festival. The film has been produced by Bohra Bros Productions Pvt Ltd, AnuragKashyap Films and Paramhans Creations.
 |
| Part of the team behind 'Shahid' |
Now, check-up whether it is running
in the cinema hall in your place and get prepared to use (not spend) 123
minutes of your valuable time!
© Sibichen K Mathew. Views are
personal. Comments are welcome.
See other movie reviews below:
Thank you for this review. I agree with you, that there are some films which we must watch on the big screen, not for the cinematic experience, but as a gesture of support to the makers. I shall look out for this film in the cinema halls in my vicinity.
ReplyDeleteNot just for the support of the makers Cynthia, the film is worth watching for its superb presentation.
DeleteYou are right , sometimes we are not aware of whats happening in the real world. Will definitely watch this movie.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing, never knew you write movie reviews also.
Thanks Ranjana.
ReplyDeleteYou have raised few good points like the languishes of democracy and the mediocre of mainstream viewers. Yet, I feel like there is sense of blurb! But, I acknowledge that you motivated me to see this movie.
ReplyDelete