Movie: Tamasha
Direction: Imtiaz Ali
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone
Music: A. R. Rahman
Cinematographer: Ravi Varman
Editor: Aarti Bajaj
Rating: ∗∗∗∗
What is it about: The movie is about two central characters who are pretty much the soul mates; Don/Ved (Ranbir Kapoor) and Mona/Tara (Deepika Padukone), they find their inner self in each other which in real life have got lost in translation. As they move forward with this enchanting journey at a point life hits them hard giving a face palm which forms the crux of the story directed by Imtiaz Ali.
Why it’s disappointing: This section rests in peace for this flick.
What to watch out for: In Bollywood there are tons of typical romantic flicks, where the lovers fight against the evil world, stand up against their family or fight a fictitious villain who will be created for no reason. Among these crowded masala movies once in a blue moon we encounter a “Tamasha” of this kind.
“Tamasha” means spectacle and most definitely it lived up to its name. Let’s get to the point here. How many of us have burned our midnight oils to fulfil our parents dream, or to satisfy the society, or to compete with your cousins? I recur majority of us do and this mill is being run endlessly for generations and doesn’t seem to get tired. The main issue being is the choice, even if you agree that we do get to choose, at the end that choice will have an underlying wish of society to be fulfilled.
Our protagonist is somewhat stuck with such wish to be fulfilled and is forced to ignore his dreams. Every one of us wish to do something different than what we are doing at the moment. Imtiaz did a fantastic job in placing this matter in an artistic form with Ranbir taking the centre stage.
There are quite a few Kapoors who have been in the industry for ages, and from the family of Kapoors which Ranbir belong, he stands out as a justice done to his granddad “Raj Kapoor” he was then called the “Showman of the millennium” …whereas his grandson could be called the same. Ranbir is a performer who can mix art in a form which will seem very complex but he presents it with élan giving it a simplistic attire. He re-invents himself in every character he had played till date. I would say “Tamasha” is one of the best till date.
She did her debut and floored everyone, since that date she’s been breaking hearts and records making the headlines in every aspect. This grave dimpled beauty charms you with looks as it is, and when it comes to performance she nails it hard. Deepika as Tara brings a great depth to that character, and when it’s Mona she is vividly fun penned in a poetic way. In Tamasha she shares the centre stage with Hero with no compromise. She steals you heart with no doubt, but when she gets down to repent she breaks you in tears. The scene where she does that is epic, Deepika we take a bow it was terrific.
Everyone missed this young lad and failed to acknowledge Yash Sehgal who played the young Ranbir in Tamasha and Bombay Velvet. His looks has an uncanny similarity with Ranbir when he was the same age. He did a good job.
Imtiaz presented Tamasha in an unconventional way which the majority will discard saying it “Bakwaas” because the majority won’t get it. He presented it in different acts, which oscillated from present to past…past to present without overlapping. This created an aura which made this movie very special, with the touch of a street play. The humour was tastefully added in the movie. Director’s true mettle is shown in a scene where Ranbir tells a story to his family, which was really something.
The movie had spectacular visuals with exotic locations from Corsica, Simla and Japan. Cinematographer Ravi Varman did a delectable job in capturing them with great details by painting a picturesque vision of Imtiaz with no compromise. This was well cut and woven by Aarti Bajaj. The costume designers deserve a beautiful pat on their back who presented Ranbir & Deepika in their fabulous form, Aki Narula & Anaita Shroff you were great.
The soul of “Tamasha” was the music, which rose very well with the script and every track did tell a story. They were not a break from the story like the other films do, they were very much part of the story. In fact you can say it depicted every mood of the film as the act changes in the movie. My favourite picks are “Matargasthi”, “Tu koi aur hai” and then “Wat Wat Wat”. Especially the placement of these songs were beautiful which makes you fall in love with them. A.R.Rahman you just compose magic when you’re given freedom to express, and Imtiaz gave that in abundance.
Verdict: Imtiaz’s Tamasha turns tables, with the sexes taking the opposite sides. It is a relief to see the Bollywood Hero growing up and moving on providing the centre stage for women. Definitely worth a watch for the new treatment, supported by electrifying chemistry powered with great performances by Ranbir & Deepika.
