Delhi 6 is a snapshot of a community in old Delhi where muslims and hindus live at peace with each other. I have been weaning myself with little snippets of Delhi through movies and there were so many, Fanah, Rang de Basanti and a little bit of Dev D, then came Delhi 6. I have stayed at Delhi, almost 5 years have passed since I left it.
Roshan played by Abhishek Bacchan is an outsider like Sue in ‘Rang de’ who comes from New York. He is half muslim half hindu. The place where this movie fails is how it shows Roshan taking to Delhi as a fish takes water. Though Roshan says ‘I am an American’, he is not. By personal experience I know that it’s not so easy to settle down in India when you are born and brought up in the U.S It probably holds good for a person from another state who comes to Delhi. Roshan the protagonist is brimming with optimism but Abhishek doesn’t look like he is 25. There comes the comparison with Amir’s DJ or Daljit in ‘Rang de’ and how he played a guy half his age and with so much élan. Abhishek’s Akshay Kumar like jumps (Thums up ad) also somehow does not suit him.
The communal theme is beautifully set against the ‘Kala bandar’ episode and the Ram Leela. Something which comes so naturally with the film-maker who set ‘Rang de’ against the theme of the Mig crashes and India’s struggle for freedom against East India Company.
The supporting cast does a great job with everyone doing their bit with finesse. Sonam Kapoor looks pretty, innocent and I was actually wondering just like Rishi Kapur’s character Ali who is so much concerned about Roshan losing Bittu played by Sonam.
Would have been better if Rishi Kapur was that much concerned about his son Ranbir ditching Sonam for Deepika. Well none of my business but Sonam looks so true so pure.
A.R Rehman’s music captures the theme again. That guy is so much consistent. I guess I would have liked Delhi 6 a bit if I had not seen Dev D. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra always shows that action is better than criticism.
Just like the group of boys in ‘Rang de’, Roshan tries to change people around him even if it meant doing it at the cost of his life. But wasn’t the ending so much filmy?
Well it was filmy because Amitabh Bacchan had to be there. The best shot of the movie was Roshan’s dream where Times Square beautifully blends with Delhi 6. Another thing was Sonam’s beauty…hardly exploited in the movie because the heart hardly got quenched when she was already out of the frame.
Her eyes were so expressive with her sharp features cutting straight into Roshan’s heart and hope it cuts yours too. However the other lady playing her ‘buajee’ scores more than her. Delhi 6 is better to be called a documentary than a movie. Should have been named…Delhi Sick. Watch the movie to know.