Sensational is what attracts attention. But in the ordinary there is a lot that gets overlooked that can stir you up. The Director did make sure you are emotionally intrigued whenever you see a father standing by his daughter or when the daughter has no idea of how the religious lenses view her, or when the religious custodians always fail to understand the innocent pleasure of an artist. There is no talk of correction or feeling sorry of why things are like that or what is right or wrong, it's about love all the way! Things are left the way they are while the protagonist makes her brave choices and moves ahead with life. And yes, the true sense of the fact that your friend belongs to a different religion does not come to you till you are out of your college, till some custodian points it out for you harshly. Are we most Indians not like this ? Glad someone showed this side in the movies because for most of us, that side never matters beyond friendship.
The movie does have a lot of positivity in a subtle form without going overboard. And after a long time, I felt good hearing the sound of a Sewing machine, this is the one most of us grew up hearing. It says a lot about dignity of labor, of a man who knows his craft well, of people who are real, like all around us.
Mariyam (Aditi Subeidi) does a fine job with a natural performance! Way to go. Movie rests on the shoulders of Danish Hussain, who delivers an envied performance, mostly an underplay but not losing a nerve of reality. Most actors seemed to be from theatre which works well including Kaustubh Shukla, Shradha Kaul, Juhaiana Ahsan, Rakesh Chaturvedi and all others. Naseerji is the face of the movie and lights up the screen with his mere presence, whenever we see him.
Movie has its flaws, but worth ignoring below the positives. Hats off to Baba Azmi and Shabana Azmi to bring out such a story. The world definitely need something positive. The Director never went preachy and the story remains as the one of a passionate mind! The movie leaves behind a good taste, go for it! I could well imagine the viewpoint of a few real life examples who challenge the normal.
