Filmistaan
Year: 2014
Director: Nitin Kakkar
Cast: Sharib Hashmi, Inaamulhaq, Kumud Mishra, Gopal Dutt

If you are wondering why the new release Filmistaan getting such critical attention and appreciation; then first get your facts straight. Even though the small-budget film is getting commercially released in 2014, it has already been shown in various film festivals all over the world and has even won the Best Film National Award in 2012. Once you know this, then you won’t be that surprised about celebrities like Big B going gaga over the movie in their social media interactions!

But is the film worth all that hype and hoopla?

What’s the plot?

A wannabe actor (Sharib Hashmi) is struggling to get a foothold in the film industry. Such is his passion for all things Bollywood and such is his never-say-die spirit that he just nonchalantly assumes that his big break is just around the corner. When he takes up an assistant director’s job for a documentary shoot in Rajasthan, little does he know that his life is about to change dramatically!

In the dead of night, Taliban terrorists from across the border mistakenly kidnap him assuming him to be one of the American documentary crew members. Despite realizing the mistake, they decide to keep him as a hostage. So he finds himself in a Pakistani village under the guard of two tough terrorists (Kumud Mishra and Gopal Dutt). His ever-smiling movie-buff persona wins over the villagers and forges a special friendship with a Pakistani pirated CD-DVD peddler (Inaamulhaq), who is equally passionate about Indian movies and movie-stars. Will this newly acquired kinship overcome the dangerous obstacles in the kidnapped man’s escape plans?

What’s hot?

·        Interesting, intelligent and intriguing plot which explores the Indo-Pak relationship through the eyes of a common man. The film manages to show how the common man from both countries cares little for politics and shares so many passions- the love for cinema and cricket; the nostalgia for the lost land and the bitter realization of separation.

·        The subtle humor laced with references to multiple popular Bollywood blockbusters.

·        Good performances from the lead actors.

What’s not?

·        Like many ‘Made for festivals’ films, Filmistaan moves at a leisurely, at times lethargic pace.

·        The humor and emotions could have been better exploited.

·        The subtext about the politics and past links seems to be forced at times.

Verdict

Filmistaan is a good watch for movie-buffs. One can’t help but feel that the interesting premise could have been developed better with crisper writing and editing.

Rating

3 Stars.