I bet No other self-respecting film could have a worse release than this. At a time when Chak De Indiawas creating waves all over and SRK was celebrating his comeback into the hearts of everyone, Here came a movie that hardly anyone bothered to notice, leave appreciate.
Vishal Bhardwaj is one of the fewer directors who is genuinely capable of making a film with children and adults with equal ease, Gulzar, Main Ratnam andShekhar Kapur being the others I can recall right now. Makdee was one such truly intelligent children’s film which had a child-like fun, not childish.
The Blue Umbrella too is one such story centred around an adult and a child, with a very notable message weaved around it. About How sometimes these two tend to exchange places because of sheer human desires.
Its really endearing to see the touches Bhardwaj gives to form the set-up of a distant village - A K-Jo song turned into a religious chant, Robots telling your future, villagers in awe of Tourists. and many more.
And most importantly, The umbrella that catches their fancy. They cant be blamed honestly; The Blue umbrella actually looks so beautiful throughout the film that even We urban fellows may fall for it.;-)
Hats off to the Cameraman who captured it so beautifully to give it an enigmatic feel.
After the delightful first half, the film takes such a sharp u-turn that it almost grabs you by the collar. Its dark, utterly painful and almost choking(though in kinda subtle way). I am not a big fan of Pankaj Kapur but he is absolutely flawless here. He emotes really well, and connects big time with me.
Shreya Sharma too surprised me quite a lot, though Shweta Prasad from Makdee is too high a landmark to be forgotten.
However, the climax did leave me a but puzzled. Even for someone like me who at times likes to read a bit too much between the lines, The film had some loose ends. But the final moment was kinda funny. hehe!
Overall, Its a film made for everyone. The film may sail at a slow places, the song may seem a bit too many for a 92 min narrative. but the film has its heart at the right place. Recommnded with two thumbs-up.:-)