Dhobi Ghat ( Mumbai Diaries ) - As I See It

Direction : Kiran Rao

Cast : Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra

Banner : Aamir Khan Productions

Curiosity can kill a cat. And too much of curiosity - it can make the cat curse the reason it got killed !

Well, this is what I felt after watching Dhobi Ghat – Mumbai Diaries. If Aamir Khan was not associated / promoted the movie, then there will be nobody out of the Film Festival circuit might have seen this movie. But Aamir being a part of it, or this is the debut of his wife as director will not make the movie good. Though that can be a good reason to build up hype and sell it.

I finished it with mixed feeling. I won’t say it is bad, though I will not suggest you to watch it either. I like the way she shoot it. The camera angles look fresh and good. And her eye for the details is interesting. Only complaint is, if she had a better script or story to work on…

One very evident thing is she was so much pre-occupied with the laws of cross-over new generation cinema. We have seen numerous Indian movies made in English. And the first thing common to every one of it – yes, the background score. Film makers never dared to use anything other than Veena and Sitar. Here Kiran, being different, is using guitar, which made to sound like Veena / Sitar ( I might be wrong about the instrument, but the sound is very similar! ). Plus occasional seasoning of the folk / classical songs. Bingo ! When will we grow up… Another trick she uses is few profanity ( you see, today’s youth use them often. Even Aamir was made to use the f-word! ) And being bold and new generation writer she liberates her lady by making her confess she had a lovely time with the man the other night. How clever…

There are two ladies in the movie who tried to see / show Mumbai through camera. One with photos and the other video. Though what they say is different, I liked the way it was presented. I am sure the audience would have lost the count of stories the rich girl falls for the innocent, frank boy. Here, there is a twist, and I will not spoil your movie, go watch yourself. After Slum dog Millionaire, I guess the slums and galis of Mumbai is hot selling thing for film makers. Hope it will not continue.

Kiran was very clear about this movie. What she wants to say and more importantly what and who she is targeting. And with the awards and recognisation (?) it received, she can be called a winner. Dear, be extra cautious next time, you may not land lucky. Good Luck.