▶ Genre :- Period Romance / Drama / Art
▶ Runtime :- 2 hrs 15 mins.
▶ Cast :- Harshvardhan Kapoor, Saiyami Kher, Anuj Chaudhari, K.K.Raina, Om Puri, Art Malik and Anjali Patil.
▶ Director :- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
⏩ Plot :- Mirzya is based on the folktale of Mirza-Sahibaan. The film is based on two different eras. One, where Mirza tries to win Sahibaan by competing with her brothers. And in the present time, Monish(Adil) tries to rekindle the romance with his childhood love Soochi, after an incident in their childhood did them apart; while Soochi's fiancée Karan and her fam tries hard to drag him down.
*WARNING : MIRZYA ISN'T FOR THE MASSES. THIS MOVIE IS HIGHLY FOR A NICHE AUDIENCE WHO UNDERSTANDS AND ARE A FAN OF ART FILMS.*
⏩ Direction :- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has given us beautiful films like Rang De Basanti (One of the best films of Bollywood so far) and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. And he awes us with his style of story-telling with Mirzya. It seems like a work of art in motion that is beautifully painted onto the white canvas of our theatres. Too much of hard work has been put into the direction, especially those done in Ladakh. And the result is a visual spectacle. The transaction between the two eras has been done smoothly. Rakeysh has risked the commercial aspect of this movie – adding an artistic angle by emoting the happenings in the lives of Monish and Soochi through Rajasthani folk-dance.
The way the camera just hovers over the sand dunes and the road for that matter, is aesthetically pleasing.
⏩ Editing and Cinematography :- The editing is top notch. Although the movie is slow-paced, one doesn't get bored because of the sleek editing. A special mention to Cinematographer Pawel Dyllus - Take a bow! Dyllus has soaked the past era in a shiny iron-grayish tone whereas he has glazed the present with blazing sun and brownish orange. Especially the lush landscapes in Ladakh and the huge palace proves his spirit in the work.
⏩ Screenplay/Writer - The expectations were soaring high considering the screenplay was written by the man himself, Gulzar. The man who can make silences convey more than words. The lyrical narrative with metaphors like Rajasthani folk-dance as a background for Monish-Soochi's love story is soooo captivating. But the story buildup is poor and that is where Mirzya falls flat. In this 135 minutes film, there is hardly any moment where the passionate love story touches your soul. It's wavering on the surface with little to less emotions. It's like the base of the building itself is shaky. Kya Gulzar Sahab, Shakespeare would be so disappointed. *Sighs*
⏩ Music : Music is one of the best and effective elements here. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have poured their heart into making this music of this film. The melodies and the instrumentation are so very beautiful. Also, the rendition of title track by Daler Mehendi coupled with powerfully evocative lyrics gets you every time.
⏩ The Highs :
▶ Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has presented the age old story in new brackets like the stretch of snow against that of sand; the bow and arrows against the guns.
▶ The film plays out like a highly stylised, spectacular Broadway musical, it’s as though you are witnessing larger than life theatre on a 70 mm screen.You can actually see the film in its soundtrack alone. This remains the main stay of the film.
▶ Mehra's presentation of Mirza-Sahibaan’s saga, one of India's most famous folklores is stunning. He nails it every manner. But he takes a backseat with its portrayal in the present times.
▶ Gulzar, who is back to giving Screenplay after 17 years chooses voice-over and a group of tribal men-women who wear colourful clothes and dance to songs reflecting the protagonists’ mental states. And it works.
▶ There is one scene, just one scene where we actually connect – when these two lovers look at each other, look into each other’s eyes, and break out in laughter, telling us that they are delighting in each other’s presence. It's beautiful.
▶ There is very little chest thumping and dialogue baazi and no item song or gimmick to make the film appeal to a broader audience. And the promos have been indicative of the texture and fabric of Mirzya. A risk taken here, is commendable.
▶ The performances are brilliant. The new pair is as fresh and beautiful as a daisy. In the given screentime, everyone's performances are remarkable.
⏩ The Lows :
▶ The filmmaker doesn't try to add his own tadka by breaking down the feudalism or the power over the women in the society, but simply accept the story as it is. Maybe one couldn't connect to the whole plot because there was nothing new.
▶ You can actually see the film in its soundtrack alone. For some places it also acts as a takeaway because then, there is room for just few dialogues.
▶ Unlike his other films, here, Mehra has highly focused on its craft instead of the story that's why the viewers can't connect.
▶ Just like a dialogue in the movie where a character quotes Romeo's monologue on Juliet : "She speaks yet says nothing," this movie speaks louder than words (with all the visuals and music), but alas, says nothing. (When it comes to dialogues.)
▶ It's highly disappointing as to why the antagonist (Karan) is given more lines than our protagonists.
⏩ Performances :
▶ Harshvardhan Kapoor could've got a better break than Mirzya. This Kapoor lad is full of potential. (unlike his sister. *coughs*) He shined in the few lines he got and appears to have a quiet spark which may surface after some more refining and grooming. From his debut film, we can surely say, he's here to stay. And yes, he comes out as a better actor than the leading lady. Points for that.
▶ Saiyami Kher is like a breath of fresh air in Bollywood with her natural beauty and perfect curls. Her character Soochi is a challenging one wherein she has to be bright, mischievous, impulsive, sensible and volatile at the same time, for her heart is hanging between two men. And she manages pull off the role brilliantly.
▶ Anuj Chaudhari as the estranged fiancée is great with his emotions and delivery. The way is depicts the idea of a person who can risk his own life for the lady-love and at the same time, kill the lady's love is beyond excellence.
▶ Art Malik as the Shakespeare spewed father is good at times, but for most of the time his dialogues seem jarring and inaudible. Miscast.
▶ K.K.Raina as the majesty is just fine.
▶ Anjali Patil as the girl who knows Mirza's soul, is magnificent.
▶ Om Puri gets lost somewhere in the middle of the film and the maker doesn't bother to bring him up. But for the little to no role that he has, including the narration at the beginning of the film he does full justice.
⏩ Watch or Not? - Yes, for the people who loves poetry and art films, theatre; this film is just for you. And for those who love sparkling love stories, this may make you yawn. Decide.
⏩ Verdict : I am still aweing at the visual spectacle this film is. It's a heartbreakingly beautiful poem coupled with beautiful performances. Thank you Mr. Mehra, for pushing the boundaries and making this film.
▶ Ratings - 3.3/5
🙏 PRIZMI TRIPATHI 🙏
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