Ek Doctor Ki Maut | The Critique

Have you seen an actor performing, in a movie? If you haven’t seen Pankaj Kapur, in one of the best NFDC productions, “Ek Doctor Ki Maut”, then I bet you haven’t seen one. It’s a story about the struggle of a doctor and his close ones, all struggling in different ways, though around the same cause. The struggle to prove a doctor’s research correct, not just scientifically but ethically as well, was the spirit of the script.

Pankaj Kapur, in his very own master style, has played the character of Dr. Roy so beautifully and in such a subtle manner, that not just once but almost every time he comes on screen you would just say - “Wow”. He makes you feel the feeling of a scientist, he makes you live his dreams, he makes you feel the pain he is bearing and he makes you feel his inner screams. Pankaj Kapur has superbly underplayed his usual self to portray, in the right amount, Dr. Roy’s dedication, his sudden burst of anger, his struggle with the society in the light of reality, his negligence towards his family for the sake of his research, his strengths and his weaknesses. You can see him smiling, crying, shouting, being sympathetic, feeling pity over the actual sick patients and at times over the sick ones of our society. The character is indeed a beautiful one to perform, for any actor. It brings out the stability, control and passion of an actor by challenging him to dive in the ocean of feelings to bring out the right pearls to be shown to the world.

This movie also has some other very fine actors, of the likes of, Shabana Azmi, Irfan Khan, Deepa Sahi and Vijayendra Ghadge, with Shabana Azmi truly demanding a special mention for a brilliant performance. She, as the wife of this struggling, sympathetic, short-tempered, negligent yet brilliant scientist husband, has done an amazing job to complement Pankaj Kapur’s show. All this and much more, makes this three National Award, one Film Fare and two State Award winning movie, a must watch.

Written By: Gaurav Karmakar

Mandi | A Great Ensemble | The Critique

Beat this – Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Saeed Jaffery, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Satish Kaushik, Pankaj Kapoor, Neena Gupta, Soni Rajdan, Annu Kapoor and Amrish Puri. A Shyam Benegal movie. When was the other rare occasion when you have seen such an illustrious star-cast. Probably actor-cast would be more appropriate. Based in Ghulam Abbas’ famous short story Aanandi, this movie stands out due to its brilliant treatment where prostitution is not treated with disdain. It’s a profession which demands dedication and patience. Despite of social outlook towards it, in its core humanity lies.

 

 

Rukmini Bai (Shabana) runs a house in Hyderabad. Zeenat (Smita) is a dancer whose chastity is guarded by Rukmini Bai for some unknown reason. Zeenat falls in love with a young boy (Aditya Bhattacharya who later turned director and made Raakh). Love is mutual. Meanwhile, on behest of social reformers, the house is moved to a place where a holy shrine is there. As the house moves, the place becomes famous. The secret of Zeenat and the boy comes in open and… Each actor has at least one good scene and they played it with great honesty. Special note should be made about Shabana and Smita who put aside their rivalry and gave brilliant performances. Their chemistry can put all gossip magazines to shame. Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Saeed Jaffery got good amount of screen time and they delivered the goods. In a very complicated role, Naseeruddin Shah accomplished what few can do. Watch the movie to make a note.

 

Shyam Benegal used metaphors in a brilliant way. Something only a person with great knowledge of Urdu literature can manage. The movie can be divided into multiple short subplots and each of them mean something different from what is coming on screen. It leaves behind multiple layers of thoughts… some static, some dynamic. The taste it leaves can’t be explained. One can just experience it.

 

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh