Body Double? Nude Scenes? Lead Actress Objects? Court Order? Political Influence?
This is not the first time that Hindi movies are facing Controversy, It had been a number of times in the past with Shekar Kapoors Bandit Queen, Mira Nairs Kamasutra and Fire and many other movies. But most of these films had faced problem with the censors not with the Crew & Cast.
Shashilal Nair’s much-hyped “Ek Chottisi Love Story” is certainly an offbeat film which had attempted earlier in Indian cinema by Raj Kapoor (Mera Naam Joker – Rishi _Simi plot) also in Malayalam film “Rathinirvedam” by late Padmarajan.
The Plot
A film which revolves around a young boy(Aditya Seal) who peeps into the apartment next to his home and gets attracted by the elderly lady(Manisha) staying there. Aditya spends most of his time watching Manisha through his binoculars, follows her whenever she goes out for work. He eats when she eats sleeps when she sleeps. He feels sad when he find she is sad. He hates Ranvir (Manisha’s Boy Friend) coming to meet her and having sex with her. Another character in the film is Aditya’s Dadi who stays with him in the Apartment.
The story basically shows aditya always thinking and watching about manisha and telling her about this, manisha-making fun of him, advising him and Aditya making a Suicide attempt.
The Cast.
Aditya is excellent with lots of expressions to his credit.
Manisha has nothing new to her credit. She looks fat and aged in few scenes.
Ranvir is OK with his small role.
Adityas Dadi also does justice to her role.
Technical Crew
The Editing & Cinematography is OK
The Background score is average
The Sound Recording is excellent.
The Direction.
Shashilal Nair artistic way of telling the story may hold you in the initial scenes but looses pace towards the interval. This film need not have to be so long. You can tell the same story in 90 mins. Some newspapers claim that this is a straight lift from an international flick “ A short film about love” I have no idea about that film so I don’t have any comment on the Authenticity of the movie.
Shashilal Nair has been successful in showing this subject without Vulgarity.
Some scenes, which make you ask why?
Aditya knows every thing about Manisha, Her Address, and Phone Number etc. But in a scene where he goes to Deliver milk at her doorstep – Aditya is shown Searching for her Flat Number?
Another scene where Ranivir beats up Aditya and he falls – no scars or wounds is on his face?
Aditya is projected as a schoolboy – No Scenes shows that he is in school? Is he studying? He follows Manisha when she goes to work (assuming she leaves home at 9 AM) how can a Schoolboy follow her with out attending the classes?
Manisha working at Planet M – why she has to carry big Box files to home?
The Controversy – The Hype
If nobody knows about the “body Double” issue, Its certain that people will blame Manisha for her “Exposing” scenes. I think that’s the reason why Manisha had objected on those scenes.
Else it may be a media- Hype plan to promote the movie by the Actress and Director as told by the Body double –actress.
Anyway the movie will recover its costs as almost all shows are running packed.
Verdict.
This movie is strictly for those who like to watch experimental stuff, it’s not for those who want to see sex on large screen.
Watch only with your Friends/Spouse. Not Suitable for Family viewing.