Terrorism, as a subject provides immense potential to a film-maker who is ready to go beyond the obvious and explore it’s various facets. Santosh Sivan has already done that in his much acclaimed movie “The Terrorist”.In “Tahaan”, though he uses Kashmir and terrorism as powerful backdrops, he has concentrated more on venturing into a child’s unadulterated mind.
Sivan’s approach in this movie is almost fable like with Tahaan(the main character), a cute and evidently smart Kashmiri boy & Birbal, Tahaan’s beloved donkey(what a superb name for a suppsedly dumb animal, isn’t it?) as the chief protagonists. Tahaan lives with his grandpa, mother(addressed as Mauji by her children) and elder sister in a remote Kashmiri hamlet. But his most favored companion is Birbal who he takes for a graze daily into the mountains. Once the old man dies, the family who are hand to mouth, in any case slip into further trouble as they have to make arrangements for repaying all the debt, grandpa had taken from the local moneylender.Mauji decides to offer her only true asset, the donkey(what else?) in exchange of the settlement of debts but Tahaan is in no mood to let go off his friend.
Even if Tahaan convinces his mother to bring back Birbal, it’s not possible anymore as Kuka Saab(the moneylender) has already sold it to a local trader, Subhan Daar.But Tahaan is one persistent kid. He follows Birbal’s new owner and pesters him with all kinds of requests and pleadings to get his donkey back.Finally Daar sahib asks Tahaan to come with him as he seems to be the only one Birbal listens to, making a promise(which he has no intention to keep) that Tahaan can take the donkey after the job is over. Thus begins Tahaan’s struggle which takes him across the borders and eventually puts him in more than a spot of bother. After all, the tagline “The boy with a grenade ” is quite self explanatory, I suppose.
Santosh Sivan has assembled an impressive star cast comprising of Anupam Kher as the business minded Daar Sahab, Saarika(in an excellent performance) as the desolate eyed Mauji, Victor Banerjee in a rather short role as the affectionate grandfather and Rahul Bose as the girl chasing, somewhat stupid Zafar, who is a worker for Daar Saab. But the show stealer, quite obviously is Purav Bhandare in the title role.It hardly ever feels that the kid is making an effort to slip into the role. Such powerful and real is his portrayal that in the few scenes where tears trickle down his innocent face it just feels that as a viewer you too are just as much hurt.Not to forget Birbal the donkey who too has been impeccable(much more convincing than Ramu’s crow) .
Watching the movie you just can’t help but get amazed at the breathtaking visuals of the tranquil lakes, the omnipresent mountains and the snow covered plains of Kashmir which the camera has captured with as much care as a lover does when he picks up a red rose for his beloved. Sivan has turned up an extraordinary effort with his direction and screenplay. He has addressed many tough issues affecting the valley while maintaining the simplicity and the charm of the main plot of his story and never ever going over the top.The only blemish(for the sake of criticism) is the treatment of Rahul Bose who I think was wasted and totally unconvincing in his character.
Tahaan is like a breath of fresh air in these days of stale comedy flicks and mindless action dramas.A must watch for every cine lover.
P.S-Recently I watched an Iranian movie(the title escapes me, Fish tank, probably) on TV which had a somewhat similar storyline where a small girl gets into trouble while trying to buy her favorite goldfish with the money she has got for Eid allowance.I was reminded of that movie while watching Tahaan.