Amu

Every once in a while you come across a movie which stuns you. I hadn’t heard anything about this movie and doesn’t seem like many people have, despite this being the information age. Anyway, sometimes lack of popularity adds charm to a movie. Sometimes you like a movie more because you know not many have seen it or even heard of it. Whether this was the case with Amu or not, I’ll never really find out, but I’m sure as hell that the movie has left me stunned and completely charmed. With its superlative story-telling and truly captivating screenplay it turned what would be a hot and boring Bombay afternoon into something special for me.

Konkona Sensharma is good. I knew that. What I did not know is that she’s so good. The American accent but Indian upbringing has never been shown with such perfection in Indian cinema. The only actor I know who can literally speak dialogues with her eyes and evoke emotion without moving a single facial muscle. She’s beautiful, charismatic and truly brilliant.

The movie takes you on a ride of a lifetime, makes you feel closer to your own roots and enthralls you completely for 100 odd minutes. Unabashed usage of Bengali, Punjabi, Hindi and English wherever appropriate – no justification, and no sub-titles – very real and truly genius. The characterization of Delhi – Bengali and Sikh families based in Delhi - Delhi University – Shakespeare society - UCLA. It just can’t get any better.

I guess the movie was initially targeted towards Bengal – with primarily Bengali directors and actors, but it really should be one of the artistic and cinematic gems of India.