Bazaar

Review By Kamal K

Gently lamenting about a society where the poor are forced to choose money over relationships, Bazaar is a touching comment on how every individual is essentially trapped. Poetically used, Ghazals and Nazms add a powerful haunting quality to this film.

Bazaar, as the title suggests, depicts a market, just that this market takes place in the homes of poor Hyderabadi Muslim families unable to afford a decent marriage for their young daughters. As a resort, if they're lucky enough to have pretty enough girls, they force them into marriage in exchange for money. Indeed, this film tackles the harrowing practice of bride shopping, and it is absolutely disgusting. Smita Patil plays a woman who was once sold herself, just not into marriage but a physical relationship. Such is the lot of women in these primitive regions. Now living in the big city, she does what may help her secure a marriage with her live-in partner - find a good bride back in her village for the man who sponsors her fiance and their housing.

The film explores brutal realities, and it does so with pathos and conviction, although at times something is missing. Bazaar is what they call an art film, but it is a little less 'artsy' than other so-called parallel films. On the one hand, it is charged with an engaging atmosphere of authenticity, with limited background score, realistic cinematography and a setting that feels very much real nad lifelike. On the other, it's a little melodramatic, it has the occasional use of certain mainstream ingredients, and it has music (although not many songs). And speaking of music, one has to stop for a second to just express how beautiful it is. The legendary Khayyam is responsible for this magic, which culminates in "Dikhayee Diye Yun", a stupendous, melodious number.

The acting is mostly good. Smita Patil leads the cast with an emotional performance as a woman lost in her own troubled world, conflicted about her past, present, and the consequences of the callous actions she took for her own survival. In one scene she speaks on the phone by the cupboard and throws a casual glance in the mirror in it to fix her hair. This is how detailed her acting was. Cast opposite her in a rather unexpected casting choice is Bharat Kapoor, who is just about okay. Also here and seemingly sidelined with a secondary role of a mere spectator is Naseeruddin Shah, who gives it meaning and relevance in a deeply effective and understated performance, doing much with his eyes and sometimes just his presence alone.

The film has many character actors, among whom Sulabha Deshpande is credible as the mother who sells her daughter. Also hateful for his role but very weak in his performance is B. L. Chopra as the buyer. Shaukat Kaifi is successfully unsympathetic just as she was in Umrao Jaan (and it's quite amazing how much her daughter Shabana Azmi has come to resemble her these days). Farooq Sheikh is plain excellent as the kind, heartbroken guy whose beloved is taken away from him. And last but certainly not least, the amazingly pretty Supriya Pathak utterly steals the show in a believably raw performance as the bride for sale. Bazaar, although interesting, is not perfect, but it is her portrayal which gives the film its heartbreaking, disturbing tone.

This movie is a lot of things. A social commentary on a serious issue (forced marriage for money), a piece of minimalist art (budget production that's quite relatable), sensitive direction (avoids B&W portrayal while unfolding the characters), a philosophical passage (the lyrics and some dialogues) and a musical treat (Khayyam's evergreen music). Each actor here is a legend and so well cast. Wonder why the prolific writer Sarhadi didn't direct more movies after this!

In the 80s when Hindi cinema was rehashing the same old stories,some few filmmakers made Parallel films which had brilliant and many times hardly told stories. It had brilliant actors like Naseeruddin Shah,Smita Patil.etc Bazaar has a story of bribe buying which was prevalent in 80s. The film shocks you and moves you throughout. It has several brilliant scenes and till the end moves on one track though being slow paced at times which is excused

Direction is superb Music is good, with some melidious songs

Naseeruddin Shah is brilliant as always,this actor always excelled in such cinema. Smita Patil too is flawless, In the same year she did commercial cinema with films like Namak Halaal and Shakti Farooque Sheikh is amazing, Bharat Kapoor is good Supriya Pathak is brilliant, she won best supporting actress award sadly the only win for this film.

The movie had so much angst of a particular faction of our society and as young man watching it still felt relatable. A Delight to see 1980 's Hyderabad depicted although which is relevant to the characters only.

I Have been born and brought up in a Hindu family in 21st century but the societal pressure of marriage and honor , its toxic side still feels relevant to some degree . The characters depicted , their hardships and dilemma are still relevant.

And the most important takeaway for me is the exploration of female characters , be it as a mother , as a lover , as vengeful negative dependent person, as helpless and powerless female under societal pressures really put things in perspective about challenges of a women in our society .

And its not one sided women is Oppressed only story , it seems to have better depth about it , a more holistic view of the theme which the makers were trying to explore.

For me its a must watch as its so honest and soulful movie of Hindi cinema which is such a rarity today. Of course its sad and tragic but rightly so , there isn't forced sadness but the theme is such.

Hope you find it relatable and get something value able out of it. Happy watching !