Bravo! I am elated that bollywood, with its penchant to make the mundane fantantic, has now attempted to bring the fantastic (read mysticism) closer to ordinary life. I felt a sense of pride in my Hindu identity, as visuals of Banaras washed before my eyes. I am not a religious person, but the entire feel of the movie was that of a dialogue, bollywood style, between an essential part of popular hinduism, ie mysticism, and our lives filled with apparent rationality. I know some people were disappointed with the movie for they expected a more in-depth treatment of the subject. I just want to say, given the fact that this is a Bollywood film for the masses, this movie has engaged fairly enough with ideas of rationality, spirituality, and mysticism, in the face of loss. I think this is a beautiful movie, certainly for its arresting visuals, and its orange-tinged frames, but also for its simplicity. This is a movie that lets you take what you want to, and walk around thinking about your life and connecting with something in the movie, at some level. For Hollywood-imbued 'logic' seekers, this movie may fall short of expectations. This movie then begs to expand one's imagination!
I wonder what people have got against Mr. Sen. He has merely pointed out what he felt regarding the movie and specifically ends with the note welcoming any inputs. But here people are too busy riding the so- called "spirituality boat" and picking on him. Personally speaking I was myself dissappointed after I read his review and then my friend told me that its worth watching. But when i saw the film, it seems to be just exactly what Mr. Sen pointed it out to be. Now regarding "riding the boat of spirituality", I do not believe that watching a movie brings you closer to spirituality and so people who claim to have "boarded the boat" are plain ridiculous especially if they base it on the movie. Anyways thats what i feel, a wonderful concept that could have been projected more powerfully and with much improvement.
RE:Spirituality ain't a boat
by meeta on Apr 29, 2006 10:59 PM
so sir, you and mr. raja have decided that your friend and everyone else who says they were touched by the movie are wrong!! chalo, about one thing in life you are decided gr8 for u. but have you tried to think that there may be something in the movie that may have touched sooo many people. who is anyone to 'judge' where a spiritual message may come from . movies today can be the best medium to spread a message e.g RDB social msg n banaras spiritual one. one man's stone may be other man's god. dont take mr sen's review and peoples reaction as a two way communication there are people who read the review and decide about the movie ,should they not get the other sides view too?
The film can be a source of spritual satisfaction for those who love spirituality and mysticism. At the same time it may be torturous for those who never sailed the boat of spirituality.....................................
The movie expounds the existential theme. There is more meaning in the layers of mysticism surrounding the film. The more one penetrates these layers, the deeper the meaning, the spirituality runs. In deed this is how our Hindu culture is which has been so well potrayed.
for the message it conveys, this movie deserves all respect.
The movies tagline might be a mystical love story.to me it was India's mysticism at its best.Banaras has been the centre of our spirituality & the movie has done its best to capture it. love story is actually the director's ploy to get across the essence of Banarash has been kept simple, no undue complications helps the message to come out really strong... the message of Soham, of unity of every atom of the world! At the same time the complications of human emotions are also dealt with best being Dimple Kapadia,the mother, facing her screen daughter with the one confession that changed the latter\\\'s life.The manner in which Urmila transcends personal grief to attain that spirituality where the self ceases to matter has been well depicted. There is always the fear that the movie will go overboard with its spirituality, but the moment comes & goes. Even Naseer's role as God exudes warmth & belief. I guess the msg comes out most strongly with the conversion of Akash Khurana, the psychiatrist with lung cancer, from 'confused rationality' to supreme spitituality, depicted most aptly by the parallel frenzies of Swetambari at her piano & the doctor on his mad rush sans his air filte
I liked the fact that someone has bothered to make a film on a hindu holy city. I went to the cinema expecting it to be very philosophical but it was very disappointing. The good thing about the film was the picturisation, I got to see Banaras (i live in UK so wouldnt get a chance for years). The beggining was boring and a drag. They could have reduced the length and that may have been in their favour but on the whole I wouldnt recommend it to no1.
as far as being spiritually concious mr raja u surely miss the bus. also i wish youd step out of ur a/c office/house ur metro town n take a look at what real india is
