From being forced to eat rice soaked in the blood of her husband to the prescient passing image of the "saw mill" when she drops her son Shiva at school, you know all through the movie what she is going to be put through and you brace yourself for it. And even that doesn't prepare you.
The literal and metaphorical vivisection of a society that worships Ma Sharda couldn't have been depicted better and it stays as it must. Take a bow @Bhasha Sumbli.
Mithun Chakraborty's understated performance as a helpless bureaucrat who tries, in vain, to warn the apathetic dispensation at the centre and the genocidal dispensation in the state showcases his depth as a performer. Truly this actor is giving his best in his second innings.
Apart from "mainstream" commercial cinema, I have watched Mithun's performance as Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and as the Goenka-esque editor in Guru. But his role as Brahma Dutt in this movie is truly a stand out performance.
Pallavi Joshi's performance as Prof. Radhika Menon is an amalgamation of multiple usual suspects from the Marxist establishment. The performance was so effective that most people found it difficult to unsee the vile Radhika Menon after the special screening. What more can one say!
Darshan Kumar's speech at the Delhi-based Marxist college campus captures his transformation from denial to acceptance of the truth and his decision to become its vocal ambassador. That speech is his stand out moment. May his role inspire real-life transformations on campuses!
Chinmay Mandlekar delivers a chilling performance as Bitta. From being a ruthless terrorist to the Kashmiri Gandhi who wants peace and justice, Mandlekar does complete justice to the reptilian nature of this character.
As for the rest of the cast, Puneet Issar, Prakash Balawadi and others provide the perfect supporting foil through their representation of the role of the state establishment and media during the genocide, not exodus, of Kashmiri Pandits.
What's poignant throughout the movie is that the characters keep chanting Om Namah Shivay, even when their end is near and inevitable. The punarsthapana of the Shiva Linga by the third generation of Pandits after the amendment to Article 370 represents civilisational hope and resurgence.
Going by the reactions to the movie from movie goers across the country, the movie has stupendously done what it presumably intended to - Inform Bharat of the Kashmiri Pandit experience and awaken it to its implications for the rest of the Bharatiya Civilisation.
The makers of the movie have done their job putting their reputations, careers and lives on the line. It is now for us to do ours and vocally support this movie and similar efforts. Resist efforts to blockade this movie. We have a right to know the truth and this is inalienable.
This generation finally has the good fortune of seeing this civilisation's history being captured on the big screen by gutsy and brilliant film makers such as Vivek Agnihotri. It's time to push the Overton Window further in favour of Dharma and Desha.
If you believe that you don't have the guts to watch this movie, effectively you have lost the right to opine on this civilisation. If you can't even watch, you can't be expected to stand up for the civilisation when the time comes. So grow a spine, watch, internalise and channel.
Kashmiri Pandits deserve to have our attention, finally. This was long due. We owe it to them and the land of Rishi Kashyapa, Adi Sankara and all our spiritual giants and heroes to watch this movie and spread the word. Let this move start discussions, conversations and debates.
I have just one criticism or suggestion for Vivek Agnihotri to consider. This movie shouldn't have had an intermission. No pop corn breaks for this one. I genuinely didn't want people having pop corn at this movie but that's just my opinion.
To quote my friend Nupur Sharma, if at all there was any flagging of focus and commitment to the cause of this civilisation, this movie has served as the perfect "top-up" at the right time. Thank you Team Vivek Agnihotri. Om Namah Shivaya! Vande Mataram!
Over and out.
........concluded.
Courtesy. A Facebook post by J Saideepak.
My take
A tragedy of gargantuan proportions which was then hushed up by the state and central governments, media and other responsible persons/non governmental organisations - clearly points out to a conspiracy at every level - and when it comes out in the open, the blame game begins and certain self righteous people/groups are ducking for cover. Though late, the culprits should be brought to book and fast track justice dispensed upon them, forthwith.
Tailpiece.
Got up at 5 - suddenly found that my sleep had snapped - but continued to remain in bed till I heard the alarm at 6. The chores, washing machinex and was ready by 10.
Mom and dad have taken affirmative action. Last night, there were heavy rains and consequently, the sluice gates had been opened on the nearby irrigation project, bringing in a steady trickle of potable water into our recently washed well. The caretaker had reported this morning that there was sufficient water and the motor could be operated! Lekha and I had decided to work on plan B, last night, wherein we were to stay in a nearby hotel and just visit Raj Nivas to oversee the recent work carried out.
After breakfast and going through the mail for the day on my laptop, took the Chevy to the nearby petrol pump to top up with fuel and check tyre pressure for the impending journey.
Shut down The Quarterdeck before teatime and told Kittu about our programme for the next two days - wonder whether he got it?
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