There are relations beyond human’s understanding. Man can define only two kinds of relationship, one that comes with his birth and the other that he chooses like friends, partners etc. But there are relationships, which are created by circumstances. One such undefined relation is portrayed in Aparna Sen’s “ Mr. And Mrs. Iyer”.
This film was made after Godhra riot though not based on it but it holds a special significance in that perspective. Aparna Sen has given it a more humane touch and without being loud has said how innocents become victims of some ‘so called fanatic caretakers of religion’; how some sections of minorities feel insecure in India. This is depicted in the scene when some Hindu rioters enter the bus hunting for Muslims. The identity of the old Muslim couple was revealed by a Jew guy, who later confessed of being scared for his life.
Amidst all this trouble, there was a new beginning. An orthodox Tamil Brahmin married woman Meenakshi (Konkana Sensharma) saves life of Jehangir Choudhary, a Muslim (Rahul Bose) by giving him a fake identity of her husband Mr. Iyer. A change of surname saved his life. This shows the importance of surname in our country. Is religion above humanity, above life? It seems so in India.
Two strangers who spent two days together because of the riot, departed with tears in the end. A bond of humanity connected them but by the end, a new bond connected them. A bond beyond any definition, any understanding.
Performances of Konkana Sensharma and Rahul Bose are just excellent. I am sure no brows would have raised, when Konkana’s name was announced for the National Awards. Her expressions, body language and accent everything was just accurate for the character. Very subtle expressions and her eyes did rest of the job. Rahul Bose is as always brilliant. He is one of the natural actors, whose job looks effortless on the screen.
Aparna Sen has shown the potential of a good director with sense and sensitivity. She has spun a story of human compassions and emotions with two extremes. One, of strangers of different background and religion saving each other and the other, of strangers slaughtering each other. But in neither of the case, has she gone overboard. She has used a lot of symbols in the film. For example, she has not shown the murder of the old couple; instead she has shown the broken dentures and glasses. Again to show the agony of the riot, she has chosen the little crying girl who cannot even speak about her losses.
The scenes of the bus are just so natural. Youngsters singing, guys playing cards etc.
Cinematography by Goutam Ghosh has complimented the plot. The shots used in this film are very effective. There are some still shots used in this film. Those still pictures of people, images of Godhra riots, images of curfew and standstill life etc are so expressive that one actually feels the situation. This certainly is a film that I may not justifiably describe but would like to watch it again and again.