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Expected more

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Meenakshi Iyer (Konkona Sen Sharma) sets out on a bus journey to Calcutta with her one year old boy, Santhanam. Her parents ask a fellow bus passenger, a slight acquaintance by the name of Raja (Rahul Bose), to help her along the way. The bus is like a minute microcosm of India with all the various types you can imagine, there are the singing youngsters, the slow boy and his mother, the disapproving old maid, the card playing men, the Muslims, Sikhs, Jews. The journey of the bus is rudely interrupted when the occupants are stopped and told of a communal riot in the neighborhood where a Hindu was killed and now the Hindus are out for Muslim blood. Meenakshi finds out that Raja is actually Jehangir Choudhary and a Muslim. A series of traumatic events follow and when asked she introduces the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. The "Iyers" have to sojourn in a small town while there is a curfew on and find shelter in an almost abandoned rest house. There is a palpable attraction that grows between them and a level of comfort too, but eventually in a very Wong Kar Wai fashion, Mrs. Iyer is handed over to the real Mr. Iyer at Calcutta station.The film is no doubt a statement on all the communal violence that has become part of our country's history, but is also an ode to humanity and to man helping man. There is an uplifting message and the sense that out of darkness light can emerge. Aparna Sen is a master at her craft and the film is excellent in story, direction, cinematography, acting. But what I commend most is the way she has captured the lead pair. Rahul Bose never looked so endearing and heart-stoppingly good, and Ms. Sen Sharma is imbued with a lush and sultry beauty throughout. Add this to the fact that they do the finest job with their roles and you have a beautiful film. Rahul plays the secular, unfailingly polite, intelligent Muslim man very well, and Konkona never misses a beat with her Southie English accent! There is a conflict at a whole another level that makes this an intriguing film - the lead pair are obviously made for each other and very attracted to each other (maybe in a sort of Stockholm syndrome way, as they are fellow sufferers), and you feel their pain at the parting, and weep inside just a tiny bit for them, but then life gets back on track again and what cannot be is forgotten.The music is divine and this film is a certain keeper.

This is a must see for all who crave for meaningful, deep yet subtle cinema, and it flows like a dream and goes past you leaving you with the slight tinge of pain at the end. The beautifully simple cinematography blends perfectly with the brilliant background score and the mood of the film.At a personal level, I rediscovered my inner yearnings and passions from the character of Rahul Bose, Mr. Raja Choudhury, whose eyes were telling from the beginning of the subtle, sweet relationship between him and "Mrs. Iyer" of the impending breakup. The poet residing in the heart of the wild life photographer comes out when he started talking about "their" honeymoon and love trips in Waynad, Chidambaram ... which had never taken place, or would never take place. Although Konkona played her role wonderfully and fully deserves the accolades she got, Rahul showed such understated restrain in his acting that one can easily identify oneself with him. I liked the movie for its romanticism and complex interplay of human emotions. It deserves a perfect 10.

First, let me congratulate the director for making an wonderful movie. The actors had done an excellent job and the story is really gripping. The scenes are real (as I have personally experienced the tensed bus journey during cast riots in Tamil nadu). Rahul Bose as Raja (modern Muslim) is superb while the mannerisms of konkana Sen as Meenakshi Iyer is perfect with a typical Tamil brahmin lingo. As a movie it is 9/10 (Few glitches with over acting of some supporting actors and exceptional privilege extended by the police officer to Raja and Meenakshi by giving a resort is not explained well).Let me come to the characterization of the caste. I came to know through directors interview that she choose to highlight Iyer caste as a model of the most conservative society every existed in the world. In democracy it is very much allowed. But what pained me was the explanation given to that. She feels that the society is not to open for modernization. What do you mean by modernization. When konkana sen in real life puffs cigarette and drinks alcohol, is that what she wants every Indian to do? In that case I believe that Iyer community being closed is worthy as science says smoking and drinking is not good. Every Hindu knows that compassion is the core aspect of life. At the same time he also knows the highest aspect of compassion is obtained by extending it even to animals. Now-a-days meat eating is considered as a modern way of life. If such is the compassion (partial and selfish) which aparanji expects in the modern world, then better I am ready to be enclosed in to the Iyer community as it gives an opportunity to be more compassionate even to animals. In democratic society every one has their own way of life. Vedanta (Hindu holy text) emphasis that excellent personality can be achieved by practicing strict spiritual discipline including focusing the food and hygiene. Drinking water from a bottle with out touching the mouth is more hygienic that sipping it. Why do you portray it as a cast issue? If Raja does it, it shows his ignorance but it has nothing to do with his Muslim life. To my knowledge brahmins prefer the orthodoxy in their home only. Certainly none of its members does it in the modern life like regretting drinking water from the bottle of Muslim. I am sorry to say that how primitive and selfish the motive of the director to sell the picture she ridiculed the homely observations (spiritual development) of Tamil iyers. Being a Tamil Iyer, even my own mom will not drink water from me during her spiritual practice. Let me clarify that it has nothing to do with caste but it has to do with spiritual and religious reasons. I know many Muslims and Christians will not eat food offered to Hindu god. I understand that it may not be acceptable to their spiritual practice. But i don't criticize it.Some times I wonder why people of India is not making good cinema focusing on positive points (like Guide of R.K.Narayan) of Indian thoughts. Why people stoop so low to sell useless qualities of Indian life like violence and en cashing the human sentiments like portraying a Jew in a bad light. Aparnaji can concentrate little bit on Swami Vivekananda's teaching little bit (by visiting belur math) and make a movie with full of positive thoughts like "Come lions Cheer up, Shed away the delusion that you are a sheep")

Meenakshi Iyer is traveling on a bus with her son Santanam and befriends a fellow passenger Raja, a wild-life photographer. When fundamentalists attack the bus, she claims the photographer as her husband thus saving his life. Reason: Raja is Muslim. What follows later is a compelling journey into human relationship under critical circumstances. Rahul Bose yet again delivers fantastic performance. Bhisham Sahni and Surekha Sikri played the old Muslim couple in the bus. It was great to see Bhisham Sahni after a long sabbatical. Finally about Konkona Sen Sharma - to be frank, I was a bit skeptical about the gifted director Aparna Sen's daughter. To me the star-kids are pampered lot and fail to rise above the talent of parents. Noteworthy performance of Konkona Sen Sharma as a orthodox Tamil Brahmin house-wife leaves you mesmerized. The finer nuances right from her accent, language, mannerism, dress, bindi has been portrayed with utmost perfection. The parallel cinema can now rest as we have an apt successor to Shabana Azmi.A very different story devoid of the usual Bollywood masala but made with sheer conviction that makes the audience captivated into the storyline. Worth commending is the directors ability to extract the best out of the principal cast. Undoubtedly a launch vehicle from Aparna Sen showcasing her daughters talent - and it hits the bull's eye.