Some
may like to call it a thought provoking film, sensitive
film or an emotional film. But we really wonder why
people would want to watch this film when so much has
been seen and heard about AIDS!
The story: Nikhil (Sanjay
Suri) is a state-level swimming champion living in Goa.
His father-cum-coach, Navin (Victor Bannerjee), has
brought him up to be a sportsman and is proud of his
son. In the bargain, Nikhil's soft and sensitive creative
side has been ignored. Nikhil's mother, Anita (Lillete
Dubey), dotes on him and his elder sister, Anu (Juhi
Chawla) loves him immensely. They are more friends than
siblings and share a special bond which has been very
well explored on screen. Honestly, this is the best
part about the film and gives it a lot of special moments.
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Everything is perfect
for the charming and happy go lucky Nikhil. His friends
love him. He has a close friend, Nigel(Purab Kohli),
who proves to be a great friend to him. He also has
a girl (Dippanita Sharma) who has grown up loving him.
But unfortunately their relationship has only gone to
the extent of kissing each other.
However, Nikhil's overflowing cup of joy is overturned
one day, on August 8, 1989, when he is arrested. Why?
Reason: He has tested HIV Positive. Suddenly he falls
from grace and is socially ostracized. His parents,
friends and colleagues turn their backs on him. Suddenly,
his whole world collapses.
Nikhil is sent to a
secluded hospital ward and kept in solitary confinement.
Nikhil's parents are unable to face social humiliation
and abandon him. But Anu defies the parents and stands
by her brother. Nigel too stands by him till the very
end. This is the story of Nikhil Kapoor unfolding on
screen. With his sister and close friend's support,
he decides to become strong and live life to the fullest.
The location is Goa
in the period 1987 and 1994. The film looks at AIDS
in Goa in the '80s, when it was still a strange illness.
The misconceptions about the ailment and how it affected
not just an individual, but his entire family, has been
narrated in a different manner.
But there is also a
bit of confusion. While AIDS is one issue, the film
also tackles a gay relationship. Yes, Nikhil and Nigel
are lovers! Their relationship is kept under wraps.
Of course, Anu is aware of it and treats Nigel in a
special manner. But this revelation about the relationship
is bound to take the viewers slightly by surprise.
This is certainly a new age cinema but honestly doesn't
do much to the audience emotionally. It may be true
to life but somewhere it fails to make an impact. The
narrative style is very boring. It may come across as
unique but the bottom line is, it is a documentary film!
But to give credit where it is due, the gay issue has
been handled in a sensitive manner.
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It also has some great
performances by Juhi Chawla, Sanjay Suri, and Purab
Kohli. Juhi Chawla is in great form although she looks
slightly old in some sequences where she has no makeup.
But we would still love to have more of her effervescence
and charm lighting up the silver screen. She is the
last of our talented actors left today what with the
present focus being skin show and sex!
Victor Banerjee
and Lillete Dubey are highly competent as usual. Gautam
Kapoor looks dead and inefficient throughout except
for one beach sequence. Dipannita Sharma has no scope.
The rest of the cast is okay. The cinematography, music,
and dialogues are adequate. Overall a very depressing
film!
