In an era of substandard products, where the same thing is being churned out in a new garb week after week, Banaras dares to be different. Extensive detailing has gone into the making of this flick, which is evident from its plot, the setting, the costumes and the overall ambience .Directed by Pankuj Parashar , it hasShwetambari (Urmila Matondkar) playing the daughter of rich Brahmin parents (Dimple Kapadia and Raj Babbar) who attends the local university in Banaras to study science. Soham (Ashmit Patel) is a low caste mystic, student of Babaji (Naseeruddin Shah) and music teacher at the same university. The two fall in love and a Shakespearian themed love story begins, sending waves through Banaras.
Those from both sides of the coin appear on the scene, orthodox and conservatives and threaten to take away everything from the young lovers. When Shwetambari’s parents try to ignore the social restrictions for the sake and happiness of their daughter, evil forces and destiny take over.
A shattered Shwetambari has to make a choice. She decides to abandon the very city she loves the most and turns inward to look for answers and rid herself of the looming despair and hopelessness she struggles with.
Seventeen years on, Shwetambari has attained what many spiritual seekers strive for in vain. She is an enlightened woman giving discourses and answering questions of the within.
That notwithstanding, she is faced with the dilemma of returning to Banaras to meet her dying father. Back to the holy city she does go. But her return creates turbulence in the mindscape of her so-called self-realized being.
The first half of the film has what it takes to keep the audience glued to the screen. The story begins in the very first sequence and director Parashars story telling is uncomplicated – simple enough for the common man to decipher.
Besides an intriguing plot, the chain of events –Ashmit’s entry, his death and the interval point – in the first half raise the expectations for a much better second half.Although the post-intervals portions has its share of drama, the film suffers on two counts. One, the pace drops considerably and the goings-on move at a snail’s pace. And two, the drama is not as impactful as it should’ve been.
Director has extracted wonderful performances from the cast. He deserves all the praises for that. The shot execution and the usage of special effects is commendable as well. But as a storyteller, he takes a long time to convey what needs to be conveyed in the second half.Moreover, the film belongs to an altogether different genre and its acceptability by the present-day audience is doubtful. Also, the film can do without the songs in the second half.
Cinematography is excellent. The Banaras locales and also the overall ambience have been captured to perfection. The background score is apt.
On the performance front, the film belongs to Urmila. Enacting a complex role, the actress infuses life in her characterisation and delivers a bravura performance. Ashmit is restrained. Dimple is first-rate in a role that has grey shades. Raj Babbar is expressive enough to leave a strong impact. Naseer is just right.
All up if you are connoisseurs of meaningful cinema , Banaras is your cup of tea!