Unrivaled. Review on 3 Deewarein

Nagesh Kukunoor has done it again! The much acclaimed director of Hyderabad Blues, Rockford and Bollywood Calling, who brought about a revolution in alternate style of movie making, comes up with yet another Ace this time. The earlier three were on a lighter side and predominantly comic in nature but this time he has tried his hands at something more serious. His new movie ''3 Deewarien'' is a superlative effort in bringing forth an offbeat subject like the story of three prisoners, with a subtle sensitivity while still maintaining the focus on harsh austerity of convicted life.

A reformist Jailor (Gulshan Grover) dreams of an independent, self-helping prison with idealistic prisoners. The story unfolds when a documentary filmmaker Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) arrives on an assignment to film on the lives, moods and emotions of jailbirds who have been issued a death sentence. This is when she meets the three main protagonists. Her interactions with them and the consequence of these meetings are what form the crux of the story.

Juhi performs well and comes up with a very balanced act of a responsible filmmaker who is actually suffering from her own marital problems at home.

====================================================================

Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor) is convicted for murdering his wife by pushing her over a running car at a heavy traffic zone. Nagya repeatedly claims to Chandrika that he is innocent and was forced to accept his non-committed crime because of third degree police torture. A no nansanss (non-sense) person, this ex-accountant still has faith that someday justice will be done. Satyameva Jayate is what he truly believes in.

Speaking endearing Hyderabadi and uttering 'Kaiku?' plenty times, Nagesh Kukunoor steals the show with his commendable acting.

====================================================================

Jaggu (Jackie Shroff) is again sentenced for homicide. He stabbed his wife to death being tired of her waywardness. This character is an introvert, moralistic and endlessly repentant of his misdeed. A romantic philosopher at heart, poetry and cooking for the inmates are his favourite hobby.

A very good underplayed performance by Jackie Shroff.

====================================================================

Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah) is astute and wily of the lot. A smooth talker, this sly conman has his way with people and life. He is convicted for shooting a bank teller that was pregnant with twins. But not once is he sorry or guilty as it was just another accident according to him. The cool detachment, the mercilessness with which he recounts the horrid tale and the nodding away carelessly whenever Chandrika prods him ''Tumhe koi pachtawa nahi hein?'' gives an eerie spine tingling sensation having to watch such a conscience dead man. Also you keep wondering why he says to all and sundry ''Maine tumko kahin dekha hein'' which starts making sense to you by the end of the movie. But he is an eternal optimist who would find a ''patli gali'' out when all the roads of life lead to dead-end.

To praise Naseer's acting with any excellent adjectives will still be a gross understatement. Simply outstanding!

====================================================================

The movie is NOT any documentary on Prison life. However, it makes an effective passing reference on brutal issues like Sodomy, AIDS and exploitation of fellow prisoners. It also touches upon the matters of internal politics - a rut in any system and the games high-positioned authorities play around with hapless victims. So also is the portrayal of uncertainty, helplessness and unrest state of minds of the convicts who are to be either hung or released on parole.

The most realistic aspect of the movie is that it does not give any justification or try to arouse sympathy for any prisoner. The people who committed the crimes are responsible for it and need not be pitied or felt sorry for. Therefore, the characters do not go through the melodramatic hyper-explanations of their offence like in regular Bollywood movies.

The script and direction are taut and keeps you riveted through out. The editing is classy and some splendid shots that catch your special attention are, the one-to-one meeting of Juhi with each of the 3 prisoners with cut-to-cut frames and the depiction of flashback events in grey shade/ black and white.

There are no songs and background music as such is nothing much to speak about. But the tune Nagya plays on his flute is quite haunting. The climax is somewhat unconvincing, however, does not seem contrived.

Go watch this movie for a change instead of all the regular candyfloss and time pass flicks. This one is truly refreshingly different.