MOVIE REVIEW
Hamari Adhuri Kahani
Movie Review
D
irector Mohit Suri's Hamari Adhuri Kahani is an
anachronistic, tragic romance that touches an
emotional chord, yet, makes you dismiss it as a
regressive piece of art. The direction appears confused,
with a present-day setting, while the treatment of the plot
and characters belong to a bygone era.The story, with
its verbose, melodramatic and regressive dialogues,
along with outdated metaphors and symbolism, fits into
the 1970's mould perfectly. Sadly, the audience today
will not relate to it.An intriguing tale, nevertheless, it is
all about love. It is
an engaging story
of a married lady
bound by the shackles of society, yearning for true love.The
dramatic
prologue
lays the foundation
of the narration. It is
22 years since Vasudha (Vidya Balan)
has left her husband
Hari
(Rajkummar
Rao). Upon learning
of her death, Hari,
steals the urn as he
is adamant about immersing her ashes
in Bastar and not in
the Ganges, to enable Vasudha attain
salvation.Hari's truth
- the story of his life
is unravelled through
a diary that he
leaves behind for his
son Sanjh to read.
Mahesh Bhatt has
penned this semibiographical
convoluted saga, with
well-etched characters who are intense and complex. High on emotional
quotient, he leaves his imprint with the well-structured,
tight and intelligently-woven script. But it is the cliched,
archaic and effusive expositions that nail the narrative.
Recounted in a non-linear manner and packed with back
stories, what holds your attention are the potent performances given by the ace star cast. This is undoubtedly the key reason to watch the film.Emraan Hashmi
delivers a sensitive performance, quite contrary to his
usual image. As Arav Ruparel, the sauve and successful
businessman who owns 108 hotels and is emotionally
drawn to Vasudha, he is convincing.Vidya Balan as the
protagonist brings out the pathos of a distraught mother and abandoned wife seeking true love, through an
emotionally intense portrayal. She does justice to her
character, but expectedly
so. Your heart bleeds for
her at the treatment that
fate has meted out to her.
With a broad spectrum of
emotions, ranging from
a possessive husband to
a harassed victim of circumstances seething with
anger to the subdued psychotic, Rajkummar Rao
wows you with his powerpacked and nuanced performance as Hari. He is a
natural before the camera.
The other noticable character in a cameo is Apurva,
Arav's friend-cum-man Friday. With his spontaneity,
tone and sense of timing,
he lends a fresh perspective to the sardonic lackey,
eliciting many a laughter at
his "flight delay" dialogues.
Yesteryear actor Amala
as Rohini, Arav's mother,
is a huge disappointment.
Although the character allows her ample opportunity
to perform, she offers nothing to make it memorable.
Technically, with excellent
production values and decent music, the visuals by
cinematographer Vishnu Rao are vibrantly brought to
life by his meticulous framing.Watch this one if you are
moved by sad love stories. The good performances are
an added bonus.
28 | BOOM