AAMIR
BOLD AND MEANINGFUL
by Vishal Verma

Rating:

What is it?
And the debate continues……… after the powerful ‘Khuda Ke Liye’, thought provoking ‘Hope and a Little Sugar’, the zest of new age helmer’s to convince and convey is on. This time it is first time helmer Rajkumar Gupta, who takes the viewer to a soul stirring search of identities and the problems faced by the modern, educated and liberal Muslims in today’s times who are disliked by the fundamentalists in their own community because of their modern thinking and their western attire and at the same time they are viewed suspiciously by the western world too because of their Muslim names.

The 9/11 incident has inspired many film helmers and this is one is also falls in the same league though with a difference.

First of all it doesn’t preaches and characters don’t start giving speeches like netas and a thank u to the director for that.

It simply conveys in a thrilling, never a dull moment, high –wire act were the protagonist is always on the move courtesy (Nokia & Joel Schumacher Phone Booth (only to a minimum extend). The dilemma & powerlessness of a London returned doc Aamir (Rajeev Khandelwal- impressive debut) is a high –wire sustaining conceit of a feature, which offers an oblique critique of the contemporary political scenario of the world politics.

First of all it needed balls to even think of making such a flick & utter a brilliant attack against a clergy that encourages hypocrisy, cruelty, inflexibility, ignorance and medievalism. & tell the world that irrational cynicism against the religion is self-defeating.

This movie is an eye-opener for those misguided youths who feel blood, bullets and explosions will serve their cause.

What is it all about?
Aamir has returned to his motherland after the London up market blast, and after being checked thrice for being a minority, he falls prey to a group of fanatics who had kidnapped the docs family and wants him to plant a bomb in a bus in the name of ‘jihad’.

He leaves the airport and a guy throws a cell phone at him. The bell rings and trouble speaks from the other side (face not shown properly but done well by the anonymous kumar – anyway there are many in this flick which is been shot on the streets of Mumbai.)

The doctor follows the directions of the caller and in between we get some fodder for thoughts regarding the faith and believe of hardliners and liberals.

He follows each and every order of the caller but except the last one and emerges as the true leader & a fighter. The asli hero.   

What to look out for?
A never a dull moment, engrossing, high –wire act with acts as an eye-opener in the end by Rajkumar Gupta.

Watch it for its two symbolic scenes which make an impact.

Number one when the fanatic talks to the liberal doc on the phone while playing with a toddler, making him smile, angry & sad.

And another when the fanatic plays with a toy monkey while talking to the liberal doctor.

Rajeev Khandelwal makes an impressive debut.

What not?
Sadly, some of the questions remained unanswered like why the London returned doc was chosen to plant a bomb in a bus. This could have been done easily by any decently clad guy. And excuse me, why this on earth this red colored bag which can be easily distinguished in any public place.

Recommended: Highly