Have you ever noticed that ’Sarso ka saang’ served in a roadside dhaba tastes different and refreshing than one served in a cozy and plush restaurant. You must have noticed that I used adjectives different and refreshing as there is no ’the’ definition of good food and bad food (If you leave basic hygienic issues out). Each one of us is going to come up with their own version of what is a good food and what is bad.
In the world of entertainment, specifically movies, same rule applies. What struck me last weekend, as I watched ’Khel Shuru’ is the fact there are artists out there who are making tough choices to offer something different and refreshing. Going back to my analogy above, its tough to run the roadside dhaba, but ask the owner and he will give you plenty of reasons why he relishes that job. And that’s what I did.
After screening of the independent film ’Khel Shuru (The game is on)’ from Differential Films, I sat down with Sameer Thakur and Tushar Sathaye, the NRI filmmakers of this strikingly different and wonderful movie. Before I tell you a couple lines about them let me tell you what I liked about this movie. Khel Shuru tells a story of seven friends and their weekend trip in the jungles. Simple games of hide and seek turns into an emotional roller coaster for each of them. As the friends split up in the dense jungle they meet three unassuming French girls, two ruthless killers and their victim who is on the loose.
There are few things I really liked about this movie. First the story and individual characters. Sameer Thakur has written a great screenplay based on the story he wrote in conjunction with his partner Tushar. Every character in this story has a reason to exist and is somehow connected with the plot and other characters. Second the great cast. This movie casts some talented NRI actors like Kal Parekh (who has also given his voice for the title song of this film), Gaurav Rawal (Flavors) and Amneek Sandhu (Kahta Hai Dil Baar Baar) as well as upcoming American actors such as Thomas Daniel (CSI) and Dennis Albanese. Direction of Sameer is thoughtful and he has ensured that overall pace of the movie is maintained through its 85 minutes. To those of us who at times get tired by the onslaught of Bollywood movies with repetitive plots and sequences, Khel Shuru offers a compelling alternative.
Before I sign off, a couple lines on the these talented film makers I met during the screening of this film. Tushar Sathaye and Sameer Thakur exude the passion and sincere commitment to their quest of giving choices to the audience at large. Their films (first film Way Of Life was released in 2004) and stories cut across cultures and stay away from the usual Bollywood masala as well as traditional NRI subjects. The movie has been selected at two reputed international film festivals (New York Independent international film and video festival - NYIIFVF) and Thunderbird International Film Festival. This is the recognition well deserved. All in all, this is the ’Sarso ka saang’ served differently. Try it and you will enjoy it.
Devesh Trivedi