Holi

Events of this film occur in the span of one day, the day of Holi. One day in which we get to know the lives and thoughts of the characters and the many turns it takes due to the events which were in nobody's control that we fail to remember that it was the same day until we see Holi celebrations on the road. Filmmaker portrays the college life of 1980's India with a personal touch. A place which hadn't changed very considerably since then and retains screaming Graffiti on washroom walls, Che Guevara, guitar, booze, sex and that peculiar aimlessness and itch for meaning that we develop in these days. College for the students as they say is a factory where slaves are manufactured or a jail that imprisons youth or a mental hospital to brainwash people or a place about which they have no clue as to why it exists and what they are doing there. Also the business aspect of education, nepotism, social problems and prevailing air of hopelessness is still strong in Indian colleges. Some things I couldn't digest like students breaking into chorus singing, clapping and whistling, the kind of jokes they make and most importantly the one which pisses off two friends so much that they get ready to slice each other off. Worth mentioning is Nasser's performance as an influential teacher, wish I had one such. The film itself looked aimless for most of the part like its characters but the final moments which had a hopefully energizing arson, an impulsive and rather harsh punishment, a sad poem, a shocking and nauseating suicide, a revealing arrest and a touching final scene, saved it. In the last scene we are silent, in a way cut-off like the characters and in contrast to the festivities outside, the drums, the dance, the happiness and the colors. It is here I believe that we are totally connected to the students, their emptiness, tragedy and silence, even when we cannot clearly see their faces through the small caged police van windows.

The subject matter of the film is novel and not many in Bollywood would have pursued it even back in 1984. However, the film is clumsy, poorly made and comes across as an 'experimental project' rather than a full-length feature film. Technical quality and production values seem non-existent. It appears the director was himself in college (learning his craft?!) while filming the rioting college kids.

The director has employed hand-held photography before it became truly fashionable in Bollywood. But the impact is jarring motion and when it comes to dialog, total commotion. Horrible, just simply horrible. Where did they record the soundtrack for it? Jeez, either that or the actors were so poorly trained they just couldn't pace their delivery. Its just impossible to make sense of what anyone is saying half the time.

The time-line of events is rather poorly established. Scene after scene appears to be mid-morning or mid-day, leading one to question if it all took place in 1 day (supposedly, the Holi holiday) or 2-3 days or many days. Also, what on earth is one of the guys doing on the roof with his girlfriend?? How did manage to hoist her up there?! Cannot believe if such a thing could ever happen in a college. The canteen scene has been repeated 3 times at least. To what purpose? Here as in many Hindi films a weak screenplay is the real culprit. Thus, no plot, no punch. And who is the protagonist here? Professor Singh? If so, then his character has not been adequately developed.

Sparsh (1980 Sai Paranjape) Arth, Saaransh (1982, 1984 Mahesh Bhatt), Ardhsatya, Party (1983, 1984 G Nihalani), Umbartha (1982 Jabbar Patel) were some of the good films made in early/mid-80s -- Holi's comparative universe, but they don't come across as patchy or unduly arty. The use of said devices may have been unintentional but the effect is opposite. Anyhow, it could've been a much better film than this.

This was Aamir Khans first film. Although he is in a supporting cast he is as good as he is today. Holi is a comedy film based on a college campus on the day of holi. The college authorities do not give an holiday on this day and the college guys do all sort of mischevious activities for an holiday. Ketan Mehta co-wrote the screenplay along with Mahesh Elkunchwar. This film has no songs. Only one song is there but without music. In a small role Naseerudin Shah gives a very good performance. no where along the movie will a viewer feel bored. The ending is a good one. Watch out for a cameo by director Ketan Mehta playing holi during the last scene.

The film mainly focuses on the sensitive and frustrating attitude of college youths who often jumps to danger, brainless and over-ridden by emotions and 'josh'.

I like the continuous shots used to narrate the story- line and also the sense of mind/attitude that the director has put to the each and every character.The film aesthetically depicts the college atmosphere of mid 80's, which covers every nook and corner of the surroundings. The quality of each shot, it's scripting, the evolution of thread, its portrayal in its very own simplicity and even the silly backgrounds, (which seems to be silly but to be precise, purposefully portrayed by a master-minded persona) all complements each other. However, to some extent i should agree that the film lacks a bit of technical quality and perfection. But to be a film admirer i should say the script and the direction has done its maximum hard-work to over- shadow its drawbacks.

Nonetheless, the film has delivered a beautiful message to the vigorous youth society who thinks by heart and knowingly does the things at the cost of ignorance. The director has given his midas-touch to even the minute details and has carefully woven the colorful, cinematic plots. "Truly, a holy on an unholy day"...