Aattam

Aattam (The Play) blew my mind and gave me so much to think about that I don't have to watch any movies for the rest of the year. I caught this at the 2023 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival yesterday and I'm still thinking about the irony of the plot where 10 men get together to discuss an incident befallen their sole woman colleague of a theatre troupe. It starts by building tension and giving us a peek into the characters and their idiosyncrasies and dynamics. Then it pulls you in with what seems like a group discussion with lots of talking and arguing. I don't know about you, but conversations in films always have my full attention and Aattam, above all, succeeds in doing that. It's so well written and directed that you feel you are part of the discussion. Absolutely seamless, that it also reminded me of Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, another film with the same vein at the fest. It's basically a study of the feeble human nature. The final 30 minutes are sure to blow your mind too. Watch it.

This movie should get 11/10 for its dialogues. It is sheer perfection. The movie stands out as one of the best Indian movie of last 5 years. It's a breath of fresh air to the actual cinema lovers when there is someone out there respecting the art of filmmaking. The movie has shown ways in which a movie can be made without getting bored for even a second.

You all don't waste time reading my review, just go and watch it already. Pure cinema.

Don't mind the next few words. This is just to fill up the space.

After a theater group's party, their sole actress is subjected to a crime from one of the men. Stories unravel, suspicions surface and clamor ensues as a meeting is called to reach a consensus.

I decided to see this movie because it has got the national award for best feature film even though I don't know the language. I was surprisingly kept engrossed and riveted for the duration of 140 minutes despite the fact that the movie was dialogue heavy and with hardly any action. The narrative with the help of subtitles was spell binding and all credit should go the director for creating world class cinema. Comparison with the English language movie " 12 Angry men " is natural and fair. Twelve male stage actors discuss a possible course of action after their female colleague complains of being molested by one of them while she was sleeping after their get together. Discussions among them continue for a long time with each putting forward his views and suggestions. At one point it is unanimously decided to expel the wrong doer but then unexpected developments take place.

Director Anand Ekarshi does a superb job with some fine storytelling and keeps the tempo and suspense going. He is helped by a well knitted screenplay, some artistic cinematography and brisk editing. All actors have done exceedingly well and it is difficult to say who is the best among them. Definitely a movie with all round excellence which needs to be on your" must watch" list.

Loved this movie ! Film making at its finest - each dialogues, framing, pacing, cinematography, score, acting all are top notch !

The premise is crafted with such panache that everyone and everything is believable. The inner workings, failure and limitations of humans, greed over righteousness, subtle misogyny all are depicted so very well ! All characters are shown barely - it is all shades of grey - there is no hero or villian and victim is not powerless or helpless.

Wonderful and the pre-climax with twist was beautiful and the climax was satisfying !

Highly recommended - much watch for all, who are into serious movies.

I would not be lying, If I would be calling this the best movie I have ever seen in my life. It jas got multiple layers, exposes a ton of human shortcomings. You will walk out of the theathre with some answers but more questions. Question about yourself, the society, morality, human self-seving nature and what not.... It subtly projects tons of issues that is wrong with the society and yet those issues are not the central theme. It is like an amalgamation of a Agatha christie novel and Refinald Rose writing.

It is a wholesome experience, screenplay, story, direction, acting everything top notch.

Lucky are the ones who would get the oppurtunity to watch this.