Chandni Bar

Chandni Bar is an intrguing film and, to this day, remains Madhur Bhandarkar's best film. Bhandarkar gives us a glimpse into the filthy world of Mumbai's lower strata of prostitution, and it is a very truthful look at once. I'm not going to drag it, the one who gives the film its realistic edge and poignancy is its leading lady. Tabu is tremendous in this film - totally there, committed, real, and very credible. You really feel for her throughout the film and want her best interest. She lives her role rather than just playing it and even though she is at times lacking in energy, she is the film; nothing else in it works as well as her story and superlative performance. She is well supported by a competent Atul Kulkarni as the tough but kind husband, and Anaya Khare gives a remarkably realistic performance in a tiny short role with just a few scenes to deliver. Chandni Bar is gritty, gripping, and for the most part rings true, which is a surprise considering the director's other works. Sadly Bhandarkar seems to have fallen too much in love with the idea of showing "the dark side of" that his next projects revolved around similar ideas but focused on providing the viewers some shock value, with much less credibility. Chandni Bar is one piece he could always be proud of, it is worth a watch as a film, and the brilliant Tabu remains its prime asset.

Although I rented this movie on Video, I am still very moved by it. It was quite an experience. Hats off to the director and all the actors especially Tabu & Atul Kulkarni are very effective. The director has done a lot of non-routine stuff like the narration, the lights, the bar songs and background music etc. Hopefully the people get the right message the director wants to convey.

Thanks to the plethora of movie and music channels, the 'non-commercial' movies of today get enough and sometimes, extra publicity. Hyderabad Blues gave some distributors the confidence to venture out with such movies.

As is obvious from the title of the movie and from the promos on TV channels, the story revolves around the central character, Mumtaz, and her life and times as a "beer-bar" dancer. Rather than just narrating one particular story, the movie tries to document the misery in the lives of such people.

Hats off to Madhur Bhandarkar for boldly doing a movie the way he wanted to do it. The movie hits you on your face even more than Satya (to which it has drawn comparisons), primarily because of the absence of commercial elements (including songs). The movie is raw yet clean.

But the other half of the credit should go to Tabu, who stakes her claim for a second National Award, with a sensitive portrayal. The only problem is that she tends to maintain a kind of laziness in all her roles. The other actors are adequate and play characters which move in and out of Mumtaz's life. Raju Singh's background score is a good supplement to the movie, though it sounds eerie at times.

This movie is strictly not for entertainment. Just go out and get the satisfaction of watching a good movie.

A riveting, extremely well-acted movie. Also, one of the most depressing I've ever seen. If you're looking for upbeat Bollywood fare, go elsewhere. This is an excellent film, but the main character is put through the ringer time and again, and the story takes you with her.

After you have seen Chandni Bar, your perception of any prostitutes around the world will change drastically. Instead of looking at a prostitute as a sexually satisfying object, you will look deeper into her and realize "why she ever became a prostitute in the first place". It is too easy to say that "there is no excuse for being a prostitute, and one can choose his/her own career in life", but after you have seen Chandni Bar, your view point will change completely and you will want to help many women who are helpless/poor/prostitutes around the globe.

Chandni Bar starts by introducing the main character's traumatic beginnings that locks her into doing things she willingly doesn't want to. Throughout the film, the "change room door" in the bar signifies the actual life of helplessly trapped women on one side of the door, and the "pretentious women" on the other side of the door who make a living by selling themselves.

In conclusion the film has been very well put together, and has an excellent direction (worthy of film awards).

I have had tears rolling down my cheeks over ten times when I watched this film, and I suggest you view it with someone who has very little respect for women or views them as sex object. This is a very hard hitting film that will touch you deep within.

My Score: 10 / 10 (for all the ten tears I had)

Watch, listen and understand !

NEIL BHATIA