I saw this movie when I was a kid and at that time liked it for entirely other reasons. Those beautiful songs are still etched in my memory. I saw it again accidently and could not stop marvelling at it. As I often say, when things happen right, they just happen perfectly. Nothing seems to be wrong with this movie.
Shekhar Kapur was not on my favourites list as I hated his other movies(Bandit Queen- Which I think he made only for some recognition and Elizabeth- I have seen much better movies made by less rated Indian directors). But this was really something to cling on.
Children are seldom shown as having a mind of their own. They are either in shadow of their parents’ confusion, or financial problems. But this movie was totally different. Trying to show what insecurity is for a child, how difficult it is to accept the child of that OTHER woman.
All this really takes character and a lot of will power. Naseer and Shabana were and are actors par excellence and we get to see why in this movie. The pain in Shabana’s eyes, confusion and guilt in Naseer’s mannerisms just have to be seen to be believed.
And yes, the kids were the highlight of this film. Very few child actors have managed to rope in the kind of performances this movie boasts about and truly so.
All in all a very good film with the right actors and a very well written screenplay and those beautiful beautiful lyrics by Gulzar(who else can it be) put to melodious soulful music by Panchamda(like anybody else could have done this).