Monday, September 29, 2008

A Wednesday

Sometimes a movie comes along that shocks the wits out of you, not just because its brilliant, but because its brave. John Milton said that destroying a book is even more heinous than killing someone as it entails killing an idea (On Books: "he who destroyes a good book, kills reason itself."). Well, I don't care if what surveys say as most people I know discuss more than books. And so his words are applicable to A Wednesday. And if you haven't caught it yet, you should.

In my book it joins the league of important movies like Swades and Taare Zameen Par . These movies are important because they are ruthlessly honest in their noble intentions, true to their art. And that is a tough thing to do, not just in Bollywood, but every sphere of life.
Is life really meant to be a compromise?
Do we really have the power to stand up and make a difference?
Are we victims or survivors?
Do we really have a choice?
These are some of the questions the movie punches in your face and forces you to think. Sometimes its not about the answers given but the questions raised. And A Wednesday does that quite impactfully.

Every actor except Gaurav Kapoor (too comic and unconvincing as a superstar) pitches in note-worthy performance. And Neeraj Pandeys vision never waivers. All in all a rare treat at the cinemas.