Dharm | Redefining Religion | The Critique

When I saw Eklavya, I literally puked. I closed my ears when I heard that for Oscar's entry, it was chosen oven a certain Pankaj Kapoor movie 'Dharm'. I sensed a scam when I saw Dharm. What kind of weed were the 'so-called' committee members were smoking when they chose a silly and over-the-top Eklavya over an intriguing Dharm? It’s like comparing sour grapes with fine strawberries.

Dream debut is one thing and having a debut with a movie like Dharm is another. Such a movie is once in a decade thing, if not more. Dharm is about religion, as the word literally mean in English, and explores religion in a new way. We have seen many movies where orthodoxy is slammed but Dharm justifies it beautifully and slowly transcends into a secular mode which, again, is affirmed by Dharm only. Religious faith is not seen with disregard but with respect. Rituals are not panned. They are redefined. Its story of a priest known for his values. He is a bit rigid with what he follows. In times of communal riots, his world is toppled when he comes to know that the kid he adopted is Muslim. He wants to repent and what follows has definitely no parallel in whatever cinema I had witnessed till today.

Pankaj Kapoor as Pandit Chaturvedi and Supriya Pathak as obedient wife raised their bar of acting to a new level. As son Shahid will be proud if he can give even 5 minutes of performance that can match his father. Every actor, from the errant son of temple's owner to the business minded pundit, has given fine performances. At times words and metaphors have been used and at times expressions were enough. The backdrop of communal violence added more gravity to the entire plot. If one scene has to be picked, I would pick the scene where Pankaj Kapoor decides to take Chandrayan Vrata.

Editing is brilliant. It’s crisp and very expressive. There is not even one unwanted moment. Background score is impressive. Cinematography left me spell bound. But the winner is definitely the script and direction ably complemented by fine performances. Bhawna Talwar has done a brilliant job as a director. Even for seasoned directors making a movie of this quality is such a feat to achieve. Respect is the word. Comparing it with a sham like Eklavya is an insult.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh