Film & TV

Film Review: I Am

Running Time: 95 minutes

Release Date: Opening Night of Indian Film Festival 22 March 2011 Mercury Cinema

Language: Hindi and English with English subtitles

I am is based on four short stories that deal with issues and their impact on contemporary Indian society. The characters cross over into the other stories, but each one deals with a separate dilemma. “Omar” (Rahul Bose) is gay and having to deal the criminalisation of homosexuals which all comes to ahead when visiting Mumbai. Kashmiri Pandit “Megha” (Juli Chawla) returns to her home in militia controlled Kashmir after fleeing 20 years earlier. She is reunited with her muslim childhood friend Rubina (Manisha Koirala) and they soon learn of each other’s hardships caused by this regime. “Abhimanyu” (Sanjay Suri) is haunted by memories of his childhood which continues to impact on his adult life in Bangalore. “Afia” (Nandita Das) is a single girl desperate to experience motherhood which sends her searching for a sperm donor in Kolkata.

Directed by Onir who also wrote the screenplay with Urmi Juvekar and Merle Kroeger the film was financed by sponsorships from over 600 people around the world via social networking sites Facebook and twitter. It provides an interesting look at modern Indian society without the Bollywood-esque veneer. Focussing on youth generation and the struggles they face in a traditional society affected by globalisation but not transitioning as quickly as this generation would like. The story of Omar and Abhimanyu are the most engaging and well directed as the scenario is slowly revealed and developed. Afia seems like a token female piece in order to provide a gender balance and is the weakest story in this chain. Megha was fairly predictable though it did provide an interesting insight into the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. The performances were good particularly from Rahul Bose and Sanjay Suri but the better characterisations and dialogue probably assisted this as well. Overall it was mildly entertaining.

2.5/5 stars

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