Listen... Amaya

I don't remember the last time I've enjoyed watching a movie at home. Movies are meant to be watched in theaters and unfortunately I missed out on this wonderful film.

I have to also say that it is immensely heartening to know that movies of this kind are not only being thought up, but also being produced. So, there is hope. And as they say, ultimately it really is the script that is the star, or at least that's how it should be.

Leela and Jayant are two lonely widow/widowers who happen to meet each other at a cafe that is run by Leela in her home. They are naturally drawn to each other and fall into an easy relationship without the frills and silliness that is a hallmark of being younger. It is a beautifully portrayed relationship, where the silences say so much more than words ever would. Thus, when a much younger adult is suddenly faced with a relationship she is not used to seeing, her natural instincts to reject it at any cost come gushing to the surface. The reasoning she uses is so trivial, because she actually can't find a plausible reason to oppose it in the first place.

The way each relationship has been treated is also refreshing, because each of the characters have their own journey's to complete. All the t's are crossed and most of the i's are dotted, without making it obvious that it is being done at all. Kudos to the director to take the risk of not saying too much. Believing in us as an audience to understand. Powerful imagery, an interesting choice of music and superlative performances from the lead actors in Listen Amaya make you wonder why movies like this are not made more often.

I recently watched Lootera as well and though that film also had silences and nuances that the director used to great effect, Listen Amaya scores over Lootera simply because of the calibre of the actors enacting those silences. Farooq Sheikh and Deepti Naval are powerhouses of acting talent. Swara Bhaskar is such a fine performer and one who you should keep a lookout for. Most of the supporting cast blend beautifully with the way the story unfolds, that for almost two hours, you remain rooted to where you're sitting.

But credit must also be given where it is due. Had it not been for the deft directing, the sharp, almost picture perfect cinematography, or the crisp editing, the subtle and elegant sets or even the often simple music, all of the acting would have gone in vain. Because after all, the actors are only playing out a vision of what was already put on paper, long before the film got shot. Bravo for a rapidly maturing Hindi film industry and thank God for films like Listen Amaya.

I have already watched this film three times from when the DVD was brought home. My favorite on screen couple of Farooque Sheikh and Deepti Naval have outdone themselves again! Swara Bhaskar plays her part so well, you want to slap her right across the face, almost willing Deepti Naval to do it for you and yet, when she finally breaks down in front of her mother - you can feel the tears start to prick too.

What a lovely lovely film this is! I also hate it for making me so homesick right now that I want to jump onto the next flight to Delhi and stay there forever. All of my favorite hangouts are used in big bright technicolor in Listen Amaya and brings along with it a flood of happy memories. Golf links, Khan Market, Old Delhi, Chanakya Puri, uffff.

If there is also one thing that I now want to do in my life, it is to run a coffee shop like Leela's and if I can, I want to name it book a coffee as well! :) Its the sort of place where I could spend days on end, not having to leave, being immersed in the books and making friends along the way. Idyllic life no? Jayant is such a gorgeous man, even with all of his wrinkles and chubbiness. He reminds me so much of dad, that I actually called him soon after watching the film, just to tell him that he means to world to me. Sentimental foolishness maybe, but so what?

Listen Amaya almost takes you back in time, to an era where decency and kindness were normal. A space where people cared for what happened around them and their families, being aware of their actions and the results it would have on people that make a difference to them. It's such a beautifully told story that I found myself crying every so often that at one point a friend watching it with me was ready to hit me!

The way Leela, Jayant and Amaya all overcome their inhibitions and reservations about what is actually a beautiful love story, will make a lot of people choke. The way the film ends, aptly encircles the way the film started; a daughter who loves her mother, but doesn't have the time to listen to her, to a daughter who loves her mother intensely and realizes that she needs to make that time very often.

Beautifully done as a story and film. It made my day a couple of times over.

For me its a 10 on 10. 'Listen..Amaya' what a great concept. Beautiful story, lovely direction, brilliant performances. Farooq Sheikh especially is at his charming best. Story is about 3 people, Leela (Deepti Naval), Jayant (Farooq Sheikh) and Amaya (Swara Bhaskar). Leela(in her 50s) is Amaya's (in her 20s) mother. Leela lost her husband when Amaya was very young. Jayant (in his 60s may be) is Leels's friend and Amaya is also fond of Jayant. Amaya is a 'free spirited modern young girl' (as Leela puts it in the movie), who is open minded and outspoken. Leela and Jayant are very comfortable in each other's company and eventually fall for each. When Leela tells Amaya that she desires to spend her life with Jayant, Amaya flips out. Amaya thinks and openly admits that it will be so embarrassing for her to confront her friends if Leela marries Jayant. The movie is about how they sort out things after that.

I loved the movie, we should have more movies like these. What this gem of a movie conveys is that everyone is entitled to have a companion, irrespective of their age, no matter how embarrassing it may be for their children. And our "modern" generation which claims to hate "hypocrisy" is also "hypocritical" when it comes to matters that involve them.

I look forward to more movies like these. This is the kind of movie that opens our mind. We the "younger generation" This is a fantastic movie that is a must watch for all movie lovers. I would recommend this for people of all age groups.

Farooq Shiekh has been one of the finest actors in Indian movies who defied the concept of face value on screen and boosted quality roles and performance. "Listen...Amaya" is a story between generation gap emanating the emotional complexity between matured parenthood and disturbed youth presented through a melodrama. The film though has a very non salable cast, performances of Farooq Shiekh and Deepti Naval is really worth praising. Perhaps one of the better movies they have given together after the 80s. Well, there is very little for the people going for commercial values like songs and dances and the pace of the drama is quite slow. But overall the good performances and the story is what you would remember of this film. Just watch this as a tribute to late Farooq Shiekh. You'll like it.

Rating : 2 stars out of 4

Truly delicate movie. I loved the way it handles the characters without portraying anyone as right or wrong. There are some very beautiful moments in the movie which i had to see multiple times to be fully satisfied. The movie is slow, so don't expect a thrilling ride. And it has lot of emotional acts where silence speaks out louder than words. At few places I felt that the script was too filmy for my taste but those moments passed away quickly before I got turned-off. Also there are some characters who don't add any value to the movie and its easy to notice that they had no contribution to the movie at all. The ending could have been better I felt. But that is just me. Good Sunday-afternoon. Enjoy and let others know :)