Worth watch!!!. Review on Dor

I have always wanted to see this movie from Nagesh Kukunoor, the famous director of the films like Hyderabad Blues, Rockford, Iqbal, Teen Deewarein.But I was just too busy in my work to grab a ticket and watch it.But Yesterday I got the VCD and watched it at leisure at my home. And I really enjoyed.

Plot:

The Story revolves around the lives of two women who are the central characters in the film. Initially their story is shown as independent of each other until a disastrous stroke of fate leaves them with crossed paths.

Meera( Ayesha Takia) is a happily married girl in a traditional joint-family in Jodhpur to Shankar. They are just married. Meera is shown as a young, enthusiastic and bubbly person who inspite of married in a traditional family enjoys dancing to the tunes of Bollywood hits in private. But Shankar has to leave to Saudi Arabia soon to earn money to help his family build a new Haveli and relieve them of their debt soon. And he soon leaves for Saudi Arab leaving behind his lovely wife Meera.

Just opposite to Meeras Character is Zeenat( Gul Panag) .She is in Himachal Pradesh living alone and self sufficient, very matured and cool minded. She is in love with Aamir who wants her to marry him quickly as he is about to leave for a job to Saudi Arabia soon. Zeenat agrees for the marriage and despite Aamirs Parents Opposition they marry. He soon leaves after the marriage to Saudi Arabia.It is only after he leaves that Aamirs Parents accept Zeenat as their daughter in law.

All this goes quick and fast without any melodrama. In Saudi Arabia both Shankar and Aamir meet each other and get settled in their jobs while sharing the same roof.

The film is poised well at this stage. Shankar sends his payment monthly to his family and also keeps in touch with his wife through phone conversations. Aamir too is sending the money to his wife Zeenat who in turns gives it to her in-laws knowing their age and needs. It is here when lightning strikes.During some argument between Aamir and Shankar, Shankar falls from the balcony of his 10th floor apartment and dies.And Aamir is held by the Saudi police for  Shankar’s Death.

Soon the world of both Meera and Zeenat changes from Happiness to sorrow. Freedom is snatched away from Meera and she is put in a kind of exile in her in-laws house, forced to live a life of a lifeless widow. Zeenat and her parents are shattered after hearing about Aamirs arrest. Soon ministry of external affairs contacts Zeenat in Himachal Pradesh and informs her that Aamir is put on trial and he will soon be executed in two months according to Arab laws. He also mentions that the only way to save Aamir from Death sentence is to get Shankar’s widow sign the condonement or forgiveness letter. But the only clue they have about the whereabouts of Shankars Family is that they know that Shankar stays in Rajasthan .Plus a photo of Shankar and Aamir together taken In Saudi Arabia.

Zeenat sets out in the quest to find Meera in Rajasthan alone. With some help she manages to reach Rajasthan in a truck lorry. Clueless she enters a local restaurant and orders some food. It is here she meets Behrupiyaa( Shreyas Talpade) who is a jester like person who cheats people by entertaining them first. Behrupiyaa initially decieves her but after knowing her plight he changes his heart and supports her.

Finally Zeenat confronts Shankar’s Family and explains everything to them and asks for permission to meet Meera. But Shankars family discard’s her request and blames her for their sons’ death and insults her asking her to go away. Still not disappointed by this fact she takes refuge in a house in the same village with help of Behrupiya and keeps an eye on Meera’s daily schedule hoping for a chance to meet her one day.

And finally she meets her in the temple by the village where Meera goes daily. But After meeting Meera, Zeenat fears Meera’s refusal in signing and so she hides her the facts and just asks her to help her find her husband who is lost. Meera trusts her and they soon become friends. They share a very unique relationship in which Zeenat lets Meeras overcome her  fears of society and live life her own ways.

But sands of time is moving fast and Zeenat realizes that she soon has to get the document signed from Meera. And so she one day tells her the truth.Now does Meera forgives her? Does she sign the document? That I left for you to find out in the movie.

Direction:

Another masterpiece from Kukunoor in terms of direction and quality of script. All the characters are well carved and stand out on their own. Even the small ones make a mark. The movie has been kept very simple and the direction just supports this simplicity. The locations of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan are well shot that gives  the movie a unique feel and augments the story .Kukunoor is in total control of each and every scene and has managed to extract the very best from everyone.

Music:

Music is very good and helps the narrative of the movie. It is mix of Rajsthani and classical music. The songs Imman ka Asar and Ye Hausla stand out. Full marks to music.

Acting:

Both the leading ladies do full justice to their roles. Kukunoor well calculated risk of casting Ayesha and Gul Panag without any make up has paid off well.Ayesha displays her acting skills by essaying each and every mood required by the roll. Be it bubbly, sorrowful or vengeful. She does it all well.

Gul Panag excels in her role as Zeenat. She easily gets into the character and has given a very natural performance.I personally liked Gul’s role and her dimples as well.

Shreyas Talpade has again proved his mettle in a small but well written role. After Iqbal he goes on to prove again that he is a versatile actor.

Girish Karnad and Pratisha Lonkar has liitle to offer in the movie.Karnad has some grey shades though when he tries to sell his daughter-in-law to the rich tenant Mr. Chopda. Same goes to the role played by Kukunoor himself( that of a rich man trying to put factory in jodhpur as Mr. Chopda).

My  Take:

This movie stands out uniquely amidst all contemporary movies which are very glamorized and glossy. A well written script  executed in a very simple but powerful manner leaves a lasting impact on the viewers. It Projects the subtleties of Human nature and emotions. The friendship between the two leading women is the highlight of this movie. Although the end is predictable but Kukunoor should have done without the DDLJ copycat scene towards the end. Except this everything else is executed flawlessly including the cinematography, make-up, costumes and editing.

The inclusion of Behrupiyaa character brings some comic relief in the midst of a otherwise serious movie.It also focuses on issues like widow liberty and freedom.  It has the potential to fetch National Awards.