Manorama: Six Feet Under

I saw this movie after johny gaddar and before seeing i liked johny gaddar but Manorama exceeded my expectations.. it was superb suspense movie with very normal background and yet it showed powerful message in the film.. till half way of the film I lost patience and interest but then again it started and I am glad that I did not left the movie at half way.. nowadays movies have big stars and beautiful backgrounds and splendid film sets.. this movie proves that big sets and good makeups are really not needed nowadays..(But the mass don't understand this) Good film needs good direction, good script and finally good execution.. Manorama deserves 10 out of 10.. but still can not give that as perfection is dangerous for ambition..!!

First things First, if I need to describe Path Breaking Cinema, I will use Manorma Six Feet Under as an example. And this film is not a Direct lift of Roman Polanski's famous hit Chinatown, Manorma hold on its own. The first word that comes to my mind while I intend to describe this movie is Efficiency.

There have been few thrillers that so effortlessly thrill you, keep you right on the edge of your seat, get you acquainted with such rich characters yet manage to knock you with killer twists and pull a fast one on you. Endlessly inventive, this is not one of those films that are just that. It explores the psychology of being a wannabe spy like no other film.

Abhay Deol is in a role thats tailor made for him, he's such a natural actor, he brings life to Satyaveer Singh and you feel that Satyaveer is a small town Rajasthani and you never feel that the character actually is played by a Punjabi Jat living in Bombay.

This is Navdeep Singh's first film as a director, and it is apparent he has the heart and soul of a storyteller. He never imposes himself upon the film; he just lets the narration flow effortlessly. He seems to be an actor's director, and the finesse with which he handles them, in close ups, dealing with each other reminds me of Steven Soderbergh.

Gul Panag is one of the Finest Actresses in India today (Lot more talented than a Rani, Priety & Aishwaria). She already proved it with Dor and now in Manorma in a not so significant role, she still proves why she's the most underrated actress in the Hindi Film Industry.

Vinay Pathak, Kulbushan Kharbanda & Sarika are competent too.

Only Raima Sen hams here.

Anyways a 9.7 out of 10 from me for this Masterpiece.

Too bad for most of my friends who had to settle tor Over The top Nonsense movies like Partner, Hey Baby & Welcome while I loved every bit of Manorama.

Manorama Six Feet Under is a neo-noir gem that stands out in the landscape of Indian cinema. Film directed by Navdeep Singh, which is an adaptation of Roman Polanski's classic film "Chinatown." Set against the backdrop of the dusty, desolate town of Rajasthan, the film offers an intricate narrative filled with intrigue, betrayal, and an exploration of human frailty.

The story revolves around Satyaveer (Abhay Deol), an unambitious and disillusioned irrigation officer who finds himself embroiled in a web of deceit when he is approached by a beautiful woman, Manorama (Gul Panag), the wife of a powerful politician. Manorama seeks his help to find evidence of her husband's infidelity. As Satyaveer delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of lies, corruption, and murder.

One of the film's strongest assets is its screenplay, which is sharp and layered. With a running time of around 120 minutes, the film deftly balances pacing and exposition, allowing viewers to slowly piece together the mystery alongside Satyaveer. The dialogues are well-crafted, often laced with dark humor and irony, which adds a unique flavor to the narrative.

The film's cinematography is exceptional. The dusty landscapes of Rajasthan are captured with a stark beauty that perfectly complements the film's noirish tone. The background score, with its haunting melodies, adds to the suspenseful atmosphere.

Abhay Deol delivers a remarkable performance as Satyaveer; he embodies the character's cynicism and vulnerability with ease, making him relatable and compelling. Gul Panag shines in her role as Manorama, bringing an enigmatic charm that engages the audience. The supporting cast, including the likes of Raima Sen and Vinay Pathak, adds depth to the film, each character contributing intricately to the unfolding mystery.

One of the film's strengths is its deliberate pacing. It's a film that requires patience, as it slowly unravels its complex plot. While this may not appeal to everyone, it contributes to the overall atmosphere of suspense and intrigue.

The film's ending is open to interpretation, leaving viewers to ponder the true nature of the characters and their motivations. This ambiguity adds depth to the narrative and encourages repeated viewings.

In the End, Manorama Six Feet Under is a film that rewards patient viewers. Its compelling story, strong performances, and atmospheric visuals make it a standout in Indian cinema. It's a film that lingers in your mind long after the fiml end's.

Manorama Six Feet Under is an intriguing, complex and offbeat thriller set in a sleepy small town of Rajasthan.

The movie is a promising debut by director Navdeep Singh. People who are used to the escapist Bollywood fare may find the movie too slow or confusing. The fact is that 'Manorama' leaves many threads of the story open-ended. Even as it pays homage to noir genre, the movie stays close to reality. And there is a strong sense of impending doom throughout the film's narrative.

The plot of 'Manorama Six Feet Under' takes a winding path instead of going linear. Beginning on a cogent note, the movie veers onto a somewhat tangled route, as the focus flits from one subplot to another.

Verbally sparse, intelligent, and visually striking, the movie holds your interest despite its languid pace.

And complementing the director's and cinematographer's commendable job are performances by the actors.

Abhay Deol's natural and underplayed portrayal of SV lends a lot of credibility to the character. More than acting, Abhay believes in spontaneous performance. And it comes through on the screen.

Gul Panag stands in equal stead, playing his bickering, nagging wife. Raima Sen , as the other woman in SV's life, is good. Vinay Pathak , playing a cop, doesn't have ample footage but he gets to mouth some well-written lines. Sarika has a very small role. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is impressive.

Inspired from Roman Polanski's movie 'Chinatown', 'Manorama Six Feet Under' is a film for those who like unconventional cinema. At times bizarre, at times fascinating, the movie is arguably the first of its kind in offbeat Hindi cinema.

Recommended for those who like offbeat films.

After 'Johnny Gaddaar' here's another amazing thriller. 'Manorama 6 Feet Under' is clearly an inspiration of 'Chinatown'. Note inspiration, not ripoff nor remake. In one scene you even see Chinatown playing on TV. The writing is clever, the visuals are impressive and the performances are very good. Director Navdeep Singh stays with his sub-heading 'In the desert nothing is as it seems'. So in 'Manorama 6 Feet Under' nothing is indeed as it seems. Singh smartly unfolds the mystery and springs a lot of surprises. The film is set in sandy Rajasthan which is portrayed as mysterious, dry, isolated, illusive and frightening. Thus, it's a perfect set-up for the film.

Coming to the performances, Abhay Deol scores again in yet another different role, not just different from what he's done but also from what other actors of today are doing. The actor is certainly here to stay and hope he continues the good work. Gul Panag has a simple role but she does her part very well. Raima Sen shows tremendous versatility. Sarika is stunning in the title role and Kulbushan Kharbanda and Vinay Pathak are very good.

The songs are minimal. But the few that we have are pleasant and adequate for the screenplay.

'Manorama 6 Feet Under' is one exciting puzzle and a treat to watch. It's bizarre. It's dark. It's funny. It's thrilling.