Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha belongs to the old school cinema. It concentrates more on storytelling and ditches all the other elements like VFX, item songs, steamy scenes to show the chemistry between the lead pair and a syntax that will create controversy or catch eyeballs. To put it simply AMKDT is devoid of the masala thought to be crucial for a Bollywood box office success. In a world where everything is instant from coffee to noodles to gratification what is served is a well brewed, flavoured and fragrant Kahwa. It demands attention. AMKDT like the Kahwa has a blend of flavours, mildly spiced, sweet and savoury and the fragrance of saffron and rose petals. Unlike coffee you don't grab it but relish sip by sip.
The story moves in flash backs and present times. It has its heart at the right place. The beauty lies in its simplicity and soulfulness. Krishna (Ajay Devgan) is undergoing a sentence for a murder. His sentence has been remitted to 22 years on grounds of good behaviour. Krishna doesn't want to leave the prison as he has nowhere and no one to go to. He knows no one will be waiting for him, not even his lady love Vasudha (Tabu). He is also skeptical about the changed world. The tension and anxiety that Krishna and Vasudha feel as his day of release draws closer is palpable. The scene where Krishna crosses the gate of jail and waits a while at the no man's land staring at the final exit gate is painful. His concern that he is not ready for a life outside is again so relatable. Vasudha is not only weighed down with the guilt of moving ahead but also the guilt of continuing to look back.
The roles of younger Krishna and Vasudha are essayed by Shantanu Maheshwari and Saiee Manjrekar.
The strength of AMKDT lies in its story telling, music and performances. Ajay Devgan and Tabu render superlative performances. Shantanu Maheshwari and Saiee Manjrekar are earnest. Jimmy Shergill's cameo adds to the twist in the tale.
After a long time there is a film with remarkable music. The song 'Tu' is picturized beautifully, especially the Janmashtami celebrations. 'Kahin kisi roz' is a treat to the ears and deserved better picturisation, that's my only complain. 'Ae Dil Zara' and 'Jahan se Chale' two songs with the same meter and the same tune, past and present, hit a raw nerve and brings a tear or two to the eye.
Neeraj Pandey excels as a storyteller and a director. The end left me misty eyed and the tears just won't stop. Please carry a tissue or two as you will need to dab your eyes a few times.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is not to be missed.
