Being Cyrus

Rating:- ***

It’s a great trend that 'multiplex cinema' that's slowly and steadily taking over India. The makers are not hesitating to experiment new concepts, off-beat themes and explore untreaded ways. Think out of the box, is the new mantra!

BEING CYRUS is a sign of cinema that defies the stereotype. It travels a path not many films would dare to venture into. Debutante director Homi Adajania not only opts for a story that may seem bizarre to many, even the execution of the material is innovative and distinguished.

BEING CYRUS is surely not one of those so-called crossover films that pretends to be cool and with the times. It's more on the lines of Hitchcockian cinema that has to be viewed minutely, for the layers are peeled in such a way that it takes time to fathom the goings-on. If you've missed a previous link, chances are you wouldn't comprehend what’s going on currently.

BEING CYRUS, though well-made, caters to an extremely tiny segment of moviegoers in India: The elite, the thinking audience and those who've an appetite for sensible cinema.

BEING CYRUS revolves around a Parsi family, Sethnas. A retired sculptor Dinshaw [Naseeruddin Shah] lives with his wife Katy [Dimple Kapadia] in Panchgani, while brother Farokh [Boman Irani], his wife Tina [Simone Singh] and father Fardoonjee [Honey Chhaya] live in Mumbai.

Cyrus [Saif Ali Khan] shows up at Dinshaw's house in Panchgani and offers to be an assistant. He spends a year with them and in the process a romance seemingly brews between Katy and him.

He then arrives at Farokh's house in a Parsi locality in Mumbai. Farokh takes care of their father [who lives in a room in their Mumbai apartment] and does not treat him too well. Cyrus befriends the father.

As the movie proceeds, you realize that everything is not right with the Sethna family. Not just that, even Cyrus comes across as a strange personality. The plot slowly unfurls, revealing morbid and unanticipated sides of many.

Director Homi Adajania has handled portions with dexterity. Not once do you feel you're watching a film that has been directed by a first-timer. He overall handles various aspects of the film like the relationships, their bonds, ambience of Parsi colony and the climax with extreme finesse.

But it could not be denied that the film gets abstract at times [screenplay: Kersi Khambatta, Homi Adajania]. Cinematography [Jehangir Chowdhury] is up to the mark. Background music [Salim-Sulaiman] has an international feel.

BEING CYRUS is embellished with fine performances from all the actors, something that's expected from an ensemble cast.

On the whole, BEING CYRUS should ideally appeal to the elite and mature multiplex audiences at the metros in the domestic market.