Very few films concern themselves with questions. Most of them are too eager to provide inspiration or make statements. But in Rajat Kapoor’s Ankhon Dekhi, curiosity is what drives its premise and suspension of disbelief is entirely abandoned.
Far removed from the business of make-believe and rose-tinted imagery, Kapoor’s film is a fascinating albeit fleshed out experiment conducted through an episodic account of Bauji’s (Sanjay Mishra) whimsical, inquiring idiosyncrasies founded on ‘seeing is believing.’
Even though it’s set in an authentic neighbourhood of Old Delhi -- one that we never see in the movies, one I’ve never ventured into even after all these years of passing through the fringes -- Ankhon Dekhi brought back memories of R K Narayan’s Malgudi.
The quirk, the simplicity, the realism, the humaneness bore likeness to the beloved fictional town of literary realm.
Backdrop (production design by Meenal Agarwal) here works in significant capacity; it’s not just a means to visually communicate the milieu Ankhon Dekhi is centred around, but its crammed interiors, neglected walls, lived-in spaces, comfortable corners stroke the scenes with personality, texture and, most importantly, life.
What I connected to most is, how his journey of inner realisations, isn’t defined by a singular goal.
In fact, it’s never clear at all.
Like the time he reminds his unsought huddle of followers in an exasperated tone how he’s still figuring out the course of his individual path to guide them any better.
Wild impulses not wisdom influence his actions.
People like Bauji, especially when spotted with philosophy-spewing placards on the street, are easy to ridicule, grab attention or Instagram about.
Kapoor treats them with value and provides a comprehensive context through his sprawling household filled up by a boisterous wife (Seema Pahwa), kids, younger brother (Rajat Kapoor) and his family.
It’s not some grand epiphany that
Stars celebrate Parsi New Year
PIX: Neha Dhupia, Kalki at Ankhon Dekhi screening
Happy birthday, Abhishek Bachchan!