Party - End is the beginning. Review on Party - Bollywood

I understand that not everybody would be aware of Party – a film made by Govind Nihalani in 1984. I have watched this movie many times and am not able to resist myself from penning down my thoughts and feelings.

Life around us has many facets, as we all know. And each facet has its distinct identity. Some we know, some we don’t. Also, we are not always responsible for every ‘wrong’ facet. But, there is time when truth confronts us in its purest form. The decision that we take at that moment is a crucial one.

So what is Party all about?

Divakar Barve (Manohar Singh) has received an award for his contribution in literature. He and his wife Mohini (Rohini Hattangadi) are getting ready to go to a party organized by a socialite Damayanti Rane (Vijaya Mehta) in Barve’s honour. There are other people also, who are getting ready to attend the party. Amongst them are Bharat (K.K.Raina) – an upcoming writer, Vrinda – a Marxist (and single) female, Agashe (Akash Khurana) – a popular playwright, Ruth (Pearl Padamsee) – editor of an elite magazine, Ravi (Shafi Inamdar) – an actor…..and so on…..

The continual dialogue among the central characters is about themselves, their profession, value and meaning of art and artist’s expression, value of human relations and finally meaning of whatever we do. Slowly, as the party progresses, we learn about the interlinking between the characters and also about the nature of each individual character.

All the members refer to Amrut who is absent. His colleague Avinash (Om Puri) arrives in the middle of the party and tells them about Amrut. Avinash is a reporter and Amrut is a poet turned social activist. Then there is news about Amrut that shocks all. For the details, please grab a VCD of Party (if you are fortunate enough to know a library owner who has this VCD…)

Some movies are purely about technique and some are purely about content. Today, we also witness a commendable blend of these two in some movies, thanks to technology, but Party is essentially a ‘content’ film and let me tell you that finally that is what makes a movie. With the glitz and glamour and mastery over camera things can be presented wonderfully, but what remains unchallenged is the content, story, script……

Party is certainly a serious film witch may cause a possible headache and for some, it may also come across as an unnecessary deliberation on right and wrong. However, in the depths, it is the story of us or the stories that we might be seeing around us. ‘What is to be done’ is the biggest question that confronts us and we try to find the answers through our own competitiveness but without disturbing the safe structure that has been built around us. Party questions this attitude and also lets us know about a few people who try to stand against the storm destructing their own shells lest the storm would destruct all.

Acclaimed Marathi authors – Vijay Tendlkar and Mahesh Elkunchwar have developed the script and screenplay. The class actors have come together in this movie to deliver their best.

It is a riveting tale of restless times which looks straight into our eyes and asks – who is responsible? It talks about – allow me to say it – intellectual masturbation, lost identity of individuals and in the process it showcases a debate that makes us think.

You may find it little boring at certain places, but do watch it. It is a story of us.

Cheers!

utpal