Delhi is one of the most ancient cities of the world. Destroyed by external and internal social and political conflicts many times. But; rose to prominence with its dominant spirit of tolerance and brotherhood restored. The majority ideology of inclusion prevailed upon exclusion.
Recent history of 200 years has witnessed social clashes/ persecution/killing involving christians v/s hindu/muslim combine in 1857, hindus v/s muslims in 1947 and hindus v/s sikhs in 1984. Finally,extremism subsided and sanity prevailed.
The chandni chowk ( Delhi 6 )area of old Delhi has had close neighbourhood of hindus /muslims/sikhs living together for many years. Life usually remains normal but occasionally fundamentalists/ politicians with narrow interest provoke people and then the devil in them ( us ) rises like the 'black monkey ' and engulfs all.
Rakesh Mehra has attempted to emphasise on secularism through the journey of his main protagonist Roshan Mehra from America to Delhi's chandni chowk. Son of a hindu father and muslim mother from chandni chowk he is at home in both cultures.He meets friends of his parents, witnesses Ramlila,attends collective namaaz at jama masjid confronts the local police havaldar and is shocked at police atrocities. Also at religious superstition, being American his outspoken and casual nature is resented by some. He plays main role in cementing many a cracked relationship and gets rooted himself after finding love with the neighbours daughter Bittu; after ofcourse Baptism by Blood and near death.Chandni chowk social collage presented by the writer- director is sweetly composed with imagination, realism and experience. There is suave and cultured Beg ( rishi kapoor ) childhood friend of Roshan's father,dumb and loving 'Gobar'( atul kulkarni) the domestic help,affectionate and impulsive ' Mangu'( dobriyal)the halwai,vulgar yet comical 'police walla'( vijay raaj),ambitious and vibrant Bittu ( sonam kappor )and her conservative father ( om puri), cunning and calculative 'lalaji'accompanied by his newly acquired young and 'smart' wife. Pawan malhotra as brother of om puri who stays in the partitioned house with his family and converses indirectly with his elder brother comes out convincingly as a typical punjabi shopkeeper.Divya dutta the sweepress is saucy and golden hearted. one is reminded of the famous tele serial ' Nukkad ' which showcased life of a mohalla and harmonious relationship among people from differnt trades and background.There are shades of 'Jagte raho' the famous Raj kapoor film of a poor villager who in search of water bumps into the inhabitants of the building many of whom are guilty of small and serious crimes but combine their attention to catch the thief who they mistake for Raj kapoor.Not realizing the 'thief ' in themselves; similarly in delhi 6 the residents resolve to catch the ' black monkey'the intruder but are unaware of the 'black monkey ' within themselves- the devil of communalism.
Rakeyesh Mehra ; the director has honorable intentions of making a socially relevant cinema but somehow the seriousness seems diluted with the introduction of the 'monkey business'.The semi horror-comical track does not blend with serious subject.
However despite its flaws; i applaud the courage of film maker that at least he belongs to a different league and not to the routine reelmakers.In times of social in the tensions and cross border terrorism he has propagated lesson of harmony by showing that not only in delhi's chandni chowk but in so many indian towns and villages hindus and muslims have been living in harmony by involving themselves in secular activities.
There is hope for India as long as the two social currents of hindus and muslim aspirations mingles in the narrow secular lanes of chandni chowk .
A pleasing secular sermon.
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें