Saturday, March 03, 2007

postheadericon Anwar and what I learned from the movie

I saw "Anwar" the other night. When I rented the DVD I had no idea what it was about, but I was determined to see it because I loved the songs.

In a nutshell, most of the movie takes place on Valentine's Day with a ton of flashbacks. Anwar (Siddharth Koirala) is a depressed young man (he has lost several people near and dear to him, in horrific suicides and murders) and in his disturbed state, takes refuge in a ruined temple (although a Muslim he is fascinated with temple art). Someone discovers his drawings at the site and news spreads of a Muslim terrorist hiding in the temple. Soon the police, politicians and hoardes of RSS men gather at the site asking Anwar to surrender, but he does not.

In flashbacks we learn that Anwar loved a girl Mehru (Nauheed Cyrusi) but she was in love with his Hindu best friend Udit. Understanding that their parents would not approve of a inter-religious marriage, Mehru and Udit elope. Mehru's mother with the help of all her relatives begins her search for the eloping couple and Anwar provides the information for where they could be found. We are not exactly sure why he let his friends down, but one can assume it was due to jealousy. The couple is caught, Udit is murdered and Mehru hangs herself after a couple of days leaving behind a very distraught and guilty Anwar.

On the surface of things the movie, set in Lucknow, appears to be about the age old Hindu-Muslim rivalry, but really, Anwar is a love story. What I took away from the movie is this: everyone, whether that person is a criminal, a Lord, a servant, a law enforcer, a media darling or just an ordinary person like you and me, is somebody's love and at the same time, someone's fool. No matter who we are or where we are placed in the social heirarchy, we love someone enough to be their complete fool and someone (not necessarily the same person) loves us too. So the next time someone gets on your nerves try to see him as the love of someone's life and hopefully you'll be able to feel more charitable towards him/her.

But coming back to the movie, the acting was mediocre, the storyline a little tedious and there is nothing to recommed it except for the music which was created by Mithoon and Pankaj Awasthi. I beseech you to listen to the songs, especially the Sufi- inspired "Javeda Zindagi", Maula Mere Maula and Dilbar Mera. Songs available for download here

9 comments:

Beenzzz said...

Hi Lotus,
I shall stay away from the movie Anwar, but not the music. :) Good point about everyone being a fool for love. Have you ever met someone you couldn't stand and looked at their right finger and they had a ring on. I often wonder who in the world would want to marry that person. I guess I should realize that just because they run me the wrong way, doesn't mean that they do that to everyone else in the world!!!

Beenzzz said...

I meant to say ring finger, not "right" finger.

ML said...

Thanks for the review, Lotus. At least the music is great! :)

hellomelissa said...

star-crossed lovers... like romeo and juliet!

i shall listen to the tunes, but will take your review instead of rent the film. thanks, lotus!

Parth said...

The songs Mithoon composed are brilliant though. I still can't get over the fact that he is only 21.

diyadear said...

hi lotus, very nice post n the profile pic is awesome!!!

Priya said...

I just can't watch a tragedy:)

Canary said...

YA even I heard these songs, truly great!
Am noticing some real nice music happening these days.. :) (all Himesh Reshamiya notwithstanding)

karmic said...

I loved reading your take on the Anwar movie, especially the message that you took from it.
For me that means the movie sort of succeeded in it's purpose.

I will check out the songs when I get home. I have to download them, you are pretty spot on with your recommendations you know? :)