Sparsh

If there was any doubt that Naseer, in my humble opinion, is the best actor of our times, this movie lays those doubts to rest. Anirudh Parmar's character was (since it has been such a long time this movie was released) a challenge in two ways. Not only was Anirudh blind, but his handicap brought out the best of humanity in him. He chooses the noblest cause one of his handicap could undertake, to educate the less fortunate with the same handicap. Also, Anirudh's fierce pride as a productive human being had to be portrayed as such. Naseer not only stood up the challenge but overcame it as only he can. Which actor in the world (Dustin Hoffman included) could play a blind man, without wearing sun-glasses, as well as him playing Anirudh Parmar? For Naseer fans like myself, a definite MUST SEE!

Fantastic movie. This movie is an example of real cinematic artform. It also has an authentic flavour of Indian movie culture. This is pure and really heartfelt. Naseeruddin Shah was magnetic to watch. also loved the performances of om Puri and Shabana azmi

Sai Paranjape's films always deal with situations and characters, which one can easily identify with, and her 'Sparsh' is a nostalgic movie. The film upholds an important principle that the disabled want to live independently, to be accorded the dignity and respect other sectors of society are granted.They don't want sympathy, rather they want and need normal behaviour towards them.

Anirudh Parmar (Naseerudin Shah), a visually impaired young man, runs a school for the blind as a principal.He works towards making his students self-reliant and hates the society for pitying people like him.One evening, at a party, he meets Kavita (Shabana Azmi), a young widow, and offers her to teach in his school.

Reluctant at first, Kavita eventually joins the school. She starts enjoying the company of the blind children and they too feel comfortable with her. Gradually, Anirudh and Kavita fall in love and get engaged. However, after some time, Anirudh starts having doubts whether this marriage is going to succeed. He feels he is being demeaned, and pitied, and hence breaks their engagement. He even tells Kavita not to come to school anymore.However, Kavita, who really has love for blind children, translates famous stories for them in brail. Will Anirudh realize her passion and take her for what she is?

A method artist, Naseeruddin Shah studied the behavioral characteristics of blind and came up with an amazing performance, winning himself the National Award for Best Actor.

Apart from critical appreciation,'Sparsh' also won 3 Filmfare Awards.

(Best Director— Sai Paranjape Best Dialogue—Sai Paranjape Best Film—Basu Bhattacharya)

This was back in the 1970's, when Naseerudin Shah was heralded as one of the leading lights of the parallel cinema.His principal of a blind school, who forms a life-affirming relationship with Kavita, left a lasting impression.

Paranjape made a sincere attempt to tell both sides of the story, with a rare unsentimental equilibrium, dealing with the complexes embedded in the minds of both the characters.

Subtle, simple, sincere and stunning are four words I can use to describe 'Sparsh'. Any movie that involves names like Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Sai Paranjape, Gulzar and Om Puri are more than worth a watch. 'Sparsh' follows Anirudh, a blind young principal who runs a school for the blind. While he is dedicated to ensure that the students have the best possible future and tries his best to make things accessible to them, he is fiercely independent. He dislikes it when others offer a hand and he resents their pity. Anirudh thinks he is satisfied with life the way it is until he meets a beautiful widow named Kavita. The two strike a friendship and he offers her to teach the children at school. At first she is reluctant but soon gives in and finds a new purpose that has taken her away from the lonely life she had accepted to live.

Sai has yet again provided the viewer with another excellent example of the impact subtlety has on cinema. The execution of 'Sparsh' is very simple and efficiently. It's done so effectively as it echos the silence of the unsaid words between the characters. The director raises awareness regarding the educational facilities that are available for the blind and the shortcomings of these schools but he never does so by intruding on the story. It is all part of the story, a part of Anirudh and Kavita's life. Special mention goes to the music. There are only a few songs but the lyrics highlight great poetry.

The development of the bond between the characters, such as between the Aniruch and Kavita and between Kavita and the children is displayed beautifully. Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi are definitely one of best on-screen pairs in cinema. While the two have always worked terrifically together, perhaps 'Sparsh' is the movie that outstandingly showcases their undeniably magical chemistry. The rest of the cast, that includes Sudha Chopra and the students, provides fine support.

'Sparsh' has already become a favourite and I'll surely be watching it again. With raw simplicity as Paranjape has created cinematic magic, something very few directors have managed to display on screen.

This movie deals with people with handicaps – one is bitter due to blindness and the other is depressed due to heart break. Society tends to glorify blindness as a bigger handicap than heartbreak. The movie poignantly shows that both are debilitating and need a lot of work to overcome. Kavita and Anirudh are fortunate in discovering each other. Their individual handicaps first help them in working together, then bonding together and then tears them apart. A well-wisher has to step in ultimately to bridge the gap.

There are some endearing scenes with the kids and the dialog is very engaging. The sequence where Anirudh describes his perception of Kavita's beauty deserves special mention for its poetry. Both Naseer and Shabana excel in their minimalist style.