Thanks to the multiplexes that have sprung up like mushrooms across the length and breadth of India, the dividing line between what was once referred to as 'art movies' and the so-called 'commercial movies' has thinned. And with this thinning of the line, has been the coming of age of the new wave cinema in India, prompting experimental and realistic film makers to showcase movies like never before. Moviegoers couldn't have asked for more as they get to experience movies that leave them to ponder over socially-relevant issues long after they have left the cinemas.
Hansal Mehta's Aligarh is the latest in a string of such movies. Aided by a taut script, power-packed performances and good direction, this movie should hopefully awaken the better sense in people yet opposed to repealing Article 377. Manoj Bajpai playing the protagonist in the movie, couldn't have done better justice in bringing out the pain of a professor, ostracised by an institution to which he has given most of his life. Beautifully portraying the anguish of a mentally-shattered professor whose sexual preference is exposed by a sinister, undercover sting operation that was the result of professional rivalry and workplace politics, I am not sure there could have been anyone who could have played this role better. Bajpai brings to fore the wretchedness that the professor may have felt living his life as it were in a society where gays are not accepted. RajKumar Rao, who plays the character of a Malayali journalist trying to help present the professor in a good light and get him justice, once again delivers a good performance. Ably bringing out the pain that a PG faces in Delhi, to allowing the audience a peek into relationships at work, he lives up to the reputation that he has been building for himself - that of a good actor.
From highlighting the travails of a distraught professor whose life in a small town turns for the worst as his private life is exposed even as an insensitive society laps up stories about him that his own colleagues helped plant, to gently questioning the commonly-known narrative that the professor died a natural death, the movie goes all out to defend the cause of the LGBT community. Narrow selfish interests of colleagues is subtly showcased as one of the characters is shown challenging Professor Saras that he would not be allowed to continue in the post that he held at the University - that of the head of the department of linguistics - for long. And a week later, two intruders enter the professor's house, get inside his bedroom, and force him to be filmed in poses that the intruders deemed fit so as to expose a gay professor.
Professor Saras's loneliness, his incomprehension of what had happened, what was happening and his continued love for his university is brilliantly captured in the portrayal of the character in the movie. His growth from a sensitive person who perked up at the mention of gay or same-sex to one who couldn't be bothered at what the world thought of him as he gets to mingle with more of his own. Manoj's sensitive presentation of this I-don't-care-anymore attitude of the professor when he is shown sleeping at the court room during his case hearings is brilliant to say the least. Ably supported by a good cast, from that cast that plays his colleague Shreedharan to the lady who plays the lawyer, the short two-hour long movie makes for a good attempt in sensitizing the public to the woes of people with a different sexual preference.
The movie is thought provoking and totally relevant to the times. Coming as it were during a time when Article 377 is being debated more than ever before, the movie's timing couldn't have been better. In fact, the movie has scored on multiple levels. Hansal Mehta's direction, helped along by a taut script, the choice of locales, everything seems to add punch to an already powerful narrative.
Hopefully this movie will be able to tell the world to let everyone be. A highly recommended movie.
Hansal Mehta's Aligarh is the latest in a string of such movies. Aided by a taut script, power-packed performances and good direction, this movie should hopefully awaken the better sense in people yet opposed to repealing Article 377. Manoj Bajpai playing the protagonist in the movie, couldn't have done better justice in bringing out the pain of a professor, ostracised by an institution to which he has given most of his life. Beautifully portraying the anguish of a mentally-shattered professor whose sexual preference is exposed by a sinister, undercover sting operation that was the result of professional rivalry and workplace politics, I am not sure there could have been anyone who could have played this role better. Bajpai brings to fore the wretchedness that the professor may have felt living his life as it were in a society where gays are not accepted. RajKumar Rao, who plays the character of a Malayali journalist trying to help present the professor in a good light and get him justice, once again delivers a good performance. Ably bringing out the pain that a PG faces in Delhi, to allowing the audience a peek into relationships at work, he lives up to the reputation that he has been building for himself - that of a good actor.
From highlighting the travails of a distraught professor whose life in a small town turns for the worst as his private life is exposed even as an insensitive society laps up stories about him that his own colleagues helped plant, to gently questioning the commonly-known narrative that the professor died a natural death, the movie goes all out to defend the cause of the LGBT community. Narrow selfish interests of colleagues is subtly showcased as one of the characters is shown challenging Professor Saras that he would not be allowed to continue in the post that he held at the University - that of the head of the department of linguistics - for long. And a week later, two intruders enter the professor's house, get inside his bedroom, and force him to be filmed in poses that the intruders deemed fit so as to expose a gay professor.
Professor Saras's loneliness, his incomprehension of what had happened, what was happening and his continued love for his university is brilliantly captured in the portrayal of the character in the movie. His growth from a sensitive person who perked up at the mention of gay or same-sex to one who couldn't be bothered at what the world thought of him as he gets to mingle with more of his own. Manoj's sensitive presentation of this I-don't-care-anymore attitude of the professor when he is shown sleeping at the court room during his case hearings is brilliant to say the least. Ably supported by a good cast, from that cast that plays his colleague Shreedharan to the lady who plays the lawyer, the short two-hour long movie makes for a good attempt in sensitizing the public to the woes of people with a different sexual preference.
The movie is thought provoking and totally relevant to the times. Coming as it were during a time when Article 377 is being debated more than ever before, the movie's timing couldn't have been better. In fact, the movie has scored on multiple levels. Hansal Mehta's direction, helped along by a taut script, the choice of locales, everything seems to add punch to an already powerful narrative.
Hopefully this movie will be able to tell the world to let everyone be. A highly recommended movie.
