In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones

A wonderful movie based on the lifestyle of students of School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi and the relationship they share with the faculty and staff of the institution. Things are pretty much the same even now as its shown in the movie though the amazing technological advancements have changed the lives to a great extent. But the psyche is still the same and will be same forever. Anyone related to architecture in any form will surely enjoy the movie. The story revolves around Anand Grover nicknamed Annie and his experiences in the institution. How his friends help him complete his degree in the college shows the way things actually work in the college even today.

I ventured this as casually as possible, my curiosity limited to seeing Arundhati Roy, Roshan Seth and Shah Rukh Khan. Within minutes though, I was hooked. By the time I was done with it, I kept thinking that this had certainly been one worthwhile outing among many cinematic excursions of late.

Written by Arundhati Roy and featuring her as well, 'In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones' is a slice of student life at the fictional National Institute of Architecture in the mid seventies. In a way, it foreshadows the significance hostel life and elite education would have in India in the years to come. Especially the former. However, that isn't Miss Roy's intent here. As is evident, she sources from The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand), draws from her School of Planning and Architecture experience, peppers the scene with 70s counter-culture and makes room for her own observations and witticisms. Along with Pradip Kishen at the helm, the cocktail is achieved with delightful ease and is a breezy proposition for the sampler.

The less said about the narrative the better for that is best left to the viewer for his / her own discovering and viewing pleasure. Labels can add their weight to a movie and become a burden but I am tempted to say that this is easily the finest among campus or hostel life movies made in India. The only competition I can think of must come from Rockford. Unlike Rockford though which has a devoted following among movie buffs and Star Movies enthusiasts, this one seems to have gained in obscurity over the years. Sadly, that means people have and will continue to miss out on a gem.

There are many aspects that commend themselves to the movie. Arundhati Roy tops the list. She scores as a writer and as the quirky architecture student Radha (if she isn't playing herself, this is some performance). One triumph I should like to allude to is that her material here rises above the constraints of time, place and context. This is a top architecture school for sure but it could be any elite Indian institution. The year is stated as being 1974 but change it and only the outfits and the cultural influences change. We are more aware of opportunities today and a globalized world has changed the way we perceive our lives and careers but if this movie can be taken at face value, our attitudes as students have undergone very little transformation, if any. Also, given her journalistic ambitions, she could have very well taken a potshot or two at what transpired during the Emergency. Her restraint in all these quarters serves the movie very well. This freedom from time and place is a strong suite of the movie. Roshan Seth is well, Roshan Seth. He revels as Y D 'Yamdoot' Bilimoria, the post-colonial elitist dean of the institute. A competent cast including Arjun Raina as Annie Grover adds to the proceedings. Amazingly, Annie's character sketch isn't merely piggy-backing on Ayn Rand's Howard Roark. Tellingly, Roy denies him Roark's uncompromising obduracy making him more of a vulnerable character to the bulwark that is an institution. In the process, Annie is also more endearing and comes across as a bit of quixotic dreamer.

For anyone wishing to engage in a trivial pursuit, there is also the matter of Shah Rukh Khan in a miniscule role during his pre-Circus days.

My heart goes out to people who love art this much.

Just imagine the era when this was made, so ahead of time.

The story is manifold, intelligent, dark, humorous, smart and intriguing , all at the same time.

It showcases how in the early 90s hostels and institutes used to operate. How when you are young, you have dream in your eyes to be different; to change the world.. and eventually hunger and materialism teaches you the reality. There are so many characters and each one has been given enough appearances and lines to establish themselves and boy did they do it beautifully. It takes you on a ride, a wild and bold one, yet it's a happy movie , there are no twists or unnatural shocks to gain the audience's attention, it's a very simple heart-warming movie. It flows like a river, little ebs and turns here and there but rest it just is!

Doordarshan has always had a bad name, when decades ago, it was the only TV channel in India, and now, when it has been overshadowed by myriads of satellite channels from across the world. But that doesn't mean it was essentially bad - despite its shortcomings and multiple issues, it managed to entertain the public with superb TV serials, entertainment programs and commissioned TV films. IWAGITO is one such late night Doordarshan film, shown in the '80s - seen by few, and remembered by even fewer.

I would urge movie buffs to search out this movie - a digitally re-mastered version is available online, but since the original print was no great shakes, the re-mastered one too has technical issues. But that doesn't take away the film's merits. It is a telling commentary on student life, of several decades ago, when students, even those studying in prestigious institutions, were a deprived lot, due to low levels of income (I, myself, was a student at IIT, Delhi, in the early '80s, surviving on a princely fellowship of Rs 600/- pm. Rs 150/- pm would be deducted as hostel and mess charges, and I would be left with Rs 450/- pm, for my sundry expenses, clothes, and even traveling to my home city). When the internet and cell phone had not made inroads into their lives. In short, when life was much simpler and slower, with its own set of dilemmas, problems, ambitions and tragedies.

Without second thought, I can state that Arundhati shines throughout the film, as a quirky rebel. Others give her character ample support. Roshan Seth is the apt teacher (Dean?), who effectively tries to keep things under control. Amazingly Sharukh Khan, in a very minor side role, appears to be sporting a wig, even then. The razor thin plot line cannot be divulged here. Do see the film for its merits, bold approach and the gung-ho performance of actors / actresses, some who became stars over a period of time.

Pradip Kishen and Arundhati Roy's 'In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones' takes place during the mid 70s at an elite School of Architecture. The film really has an authentic look and proves to be a fine depiction student life. Even though it's set in the 70s and a lot has changed since (what with modern technology, telecommunications etc), the essence of student life is still the same. The interactions with friendships, classmates, teachers and the people who come and go in your life... nothing much has changed regarding that. Not only is Roy's writing first rate (no wonder she goes on to become an accomplished writer) but her acting is brilliant too. I wonder how much she and her character Radha have in common and how much of the film is based on her own experience. The rest of the actors do a decent enough job (note appearances by Shahrukh Khan and Manoj Bajpai). On the technical side, the lighting and sound design are quite poor. The cinematography is interesting. Overall, Roy created an authentic slice of student life that definitely stands tall among the supposed collegeflicks Hollywood and India churn out these days.