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Star cast: Sanjay Mishra, Rajat Kapoor, Seema Bhargava Pahwa, Taranjeet Kaur, Maya Sarao, Namit Das, Manu Rishi Chaddha, Brijendra Kala
Director: Rajat Kapoor
What’s Good: It is an invariably sweet story that doesn’t lose its innocence in its layers.
What’s Bad: Some parts might come across as a little contrived failing its grip on the story.
Loo break: None at all.
Watch or Not?: If Mithya was an irresistible dark comedy that held too many surprises for you, Ankhon Dekhi is just as predictable and yet so hard-to-let-go delicious. Magnificently conceptualized, it is eventually Rajat Kapoor’s intriguing vision and his ability to keep it consistently engaging all through its screen time, is what makes this offering a decadent watch that must be savored.
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Babuji (Sanjay Mishra ) is compelled by a misguided decision of his life to follow the path of vision solely. Everything that he does henceforth is all a byproduct of his experiences. While it seems all hunky dory in theory, the practice becomes challenging when his belief makes him give up his job and severe ties with his younger brother.
Being branded as mad by all and sundry, the film traces his journey to the eventual culmination of his mantra of experience.
Ankhon Dekhi Review: Script Analysis
When it comes films like these, it probably becomes the hardest to write reviews. Not because the subject matter is too diverse but it is preferable to relish such films rather than dissecting them. However, to fulfill my professional commitments I absolutely must begin. The basic theme of the film is about a man who refuses to believe anything that hasn’t been validated by his own experience. As simple as the idea may sound in theory, it is afterall Rajat’s unusual bent of mind that makes this film as spirited and layered as it turns out to be.
Babuji’s eccentric mind becomes the cause of it all, be it the highs and lows of the narrative, the tense pitch and the high voltage climax or even the infallibility of the story is all attributed to the same source. To make the story palatable despite the essential complexity of it is what must indeed have been a task, but somehow Kapur doesn’t fumble too much with it.
Though the film’s beginning itself made the ending extremely predictable, it doesn’t hinder you from enjoying its quaint moments. In middle of his daughter’s wedding preparation when Babuji gets up and goes to the zoo to check whether a tiger really roars or merely mews or when he argues with a Maths teacher how infinity is undefined and hence maths is a faulty subject are all breathtakingly enjoyable scenes.
And yet there are many which are sheer hiccups. Mostly the protagonist getting involved in gambling is something that never got tinted the correct amount of real. Even the ending of the film made it look pointless or even the beginning of Babuji’s idea just as wobbly but the beauty of the film is far reaching than these trivialities.
Ankhon Dekhi Review: Star Performances
Sanjay Mishra delivers one of his most accomplished performances ever. Managing to seep in every inkling of what the role could have possibly demanded, he is perfectly nuanced in his work. He could have easily come off as over-the-top but he remains gripped in the character only to awe you.
Seema Pahwa matches his marvelous performance with her potential. And she is just as brilliant in the role, if not more. Her hyper nature to her caring demeanor all fall in place perfectly.
Rajat Kapoor is also a perfect fit in the family jumble on screen. He is smooth and calm, but his wrath is as ferocious and arrogant.
Infact, everyone from the ensemble cast has been commendably handpicked and they fall in place without hitches. Luckily every little character contributes positively to the film.
Ankhon Dekhi Review: Direction, Editing and Screenplay
Rajat Kapoor has created his own own brand of cinema that intends to baffle the audiences by posing unassuming questions that are meant to baffle and are yet pretty simple in their existence.
The ingenious film unleashes a world that has been left untouched by cinema. Touching the realms of surreal, it is only possible to soak in the film rather than try to sum it up in words. The music obviously is beneficial to the film’s feel and appeals to the ears.
Ankhon Dekhi Review: The Last Word
Ankhon Dekhi has every element in it that makes it a flattering watch. Heart warming in parts and easy to get entrapped in, the film is mindbogglingly engaging. Its impossible to dismiss this film, because of its mounting moments that soar all through. I am going with 3.5/5 and a simple question. When is your next expected Mr Kapoor?
Ankhon Dekhi Trailer
Ankhon Dekhi releases on 21st March, 2014.
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