I am personally in love with Indian independent cinema as it currently stands. In spite of a measly reception by the audience of films that released in the previous half of this decade, filmmakers are still producing them. And this engrossing drama comes as a testament to the fact that good films are still being made.
Imli (Raima Sen) is a cinema enthusiast who dreams of acting in films, but is currently employed as a prostitute in Kolkata. So, when a creative director knocks at her brothel's door in search of a solid story, Imli opens her heart with the hope of landing a role. Few thousand kilometers away from her is UP guy, Rohit (Salim Diwan), a soaked-up BPO professional who also wants to become an actor in Bollywood. After multiple failed attempts at impressing directors, Rohit signs up for a talent show associated with a film, where he hopes to make it big. In the neighboring state of Delhi lives Vishnu (Asish Vidyarthi), a to-be-retired accounts manager, who wants to pursue his childhood passion of acting. But, before he can do that, he has to cross one more hurdle: his health.
Hope is what drives these three characters as the film narrates their stories in linear fashion. All of them want to be actors, which is not a novel thing, when it comes to Bollywood dramas or story arcs. But, these stories do not look one bit contrived. They originate out of ordinary people who have led boring lives and now want to create a spark. While Imli's story may be clichéd, Vishnu's and Rohit's stories are what drives the film and gives it its quality. Driven by some good music and unpolished linear narration, they induce empathy. The sequences will generate emotive reactions in you as you will engross yourself in finding out what happens to these characters who are so loyal and hardworking and hopeful to their cause, that eventually even you may chip in your hope for them.
The whole cast do a very good job. But, I have to strain on the three central actors, who put in their 100 percent. It is not easy to portray characters that have possible real-life semblances, and Sen, Vidyarthi, and Diwan do it perfectly. Director K D Satyam has used familiar stories and created a film full of life, that is fairly entertaining.
Not to forget, the film does have its dull moments, but that should now come in between your enjoyment.
BOTTOM LINE: K D Satyam's "Bollywood Diaries" triumphs at telling stories so close to Bollywood, that it is both ironic and heartbreaking. Take a bow, guys! Buy DVD or stream it online now!
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
