We saw the Hindi Movie…Viruddh first time in a Multiplex when it was screened for the public, as the title and actors made us feel that it would be other than a run-of-the-mill Hindi film we often like to ignore or forget, if per chance happen to see. Second time, I saw on the small screen in our TV the other day in the comfort of home.
The story based on usual dreams in any middle class family who send their only son abroad to study and be competent enough to come and support and also give the company to his old parents. Here, it is the story of old superannuated couple enacted by Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore of yonder days! A Maharashtrian household like what we see and know ……run by principled, cultured, educated and law abiding citizens….whose only aspiration is to see their upright son achieve whatever they have dreamt surrounding him and his would be family. It is like seeing our own unfulfilled dreams and aspirations through our children.
Family head…Vidyadhar (suffering from diabetes) has few close friends whom we find interesting in their own ways as they add dimensions to Vidyadhar’s character. His wife Sumi (suffering from blood pressure) is ex-school teacher, who has been part of his life and he is hers…like any well matched couple of that age group we come across in our family or socially, who prospered through a marriage that has helped them to overcome hurdles that come in the way of our existence.
Son Amar (played by John Abraham) is also principled, bright and upright comes in the rescue of a British girl Jenny and ultimately both fall in love. Vidyadhar and Sumi have close tie with their son …maintained through regular communications…. Which often are the anecdotes of our known conversations with our close family members abroad.
Amar surprises the parents by announcing his visit to Mumbai, but more so to his dad by requesting to keep the mom at home when he comes to airport to receive him. When surprise is revealed, he is found to be accompanied by Jenny. The nuances of melodrama in the backdrop of Patwardhan family is humourous and interesting as it depicts the way we live or like to live our lives.
Sumi, to the best of her Indian culture, gets them wedded in a Temple, since live-in relation does not make any couple commit to their social obligations. It is rather an arrangement of convenience without obligations and responsibilities in the western society and now borrowed in ours by some who know only aping.
So far so good….film could have ended here. But, this storyline defied this routine to bring out the characters of Amar, Vidyadhar and Sumi…and also foreign Jenny! Amar got killed by the son of Home Minister of the State while he tried to intervene and hold the culprit who killed the girl in point blank range as she defied to abort his illegitimate child. It showed how young sons of political power centres often misuse their dad’s machinery, name and influence to do anything they want to. The killing of Jessica Lall in Delhi bears the testimony.
Under pressure, Amar’s closest friend ( supposed to be key witness) changes his statement and when the entire case was turned around by making dead Amar a culprit as a narcotic smuggler , it resembles many of similar life stories that we come across every now and then. A father of an ideal son ….Vidyadhar could take no more, although he relied on our judicial system which is blinded by fake testimonies and proof.
He takes the bold step which a strong determined principled character can only take, to face the actual culprit…..the son of the Home Minister. While he admits the guilt as if he has no moral binding and tries to buy him out…this results in squabble…when Vidyadhar like a straightforward and strong person makes him listen to his admission in the tape. Finally, the son of Minister is shot at by Vidyadhar, who is then taken in police custody. Ultimately, the taped conversation comes to prove that Amar was victimized by government system in force….like misused police machinery . He gets Amar totally clean of the false charge…..which he was fighting for more than his death, which is an eventuality.
I guess, this underlines the story and its strength!!
Perfomance of all characters other than A.B.---the pivot (which is outstanding) have been right to their roles and hence enjoyable. Sharmila, after long absence, has proved her capability as one of the fine actresses from Satyajit Ray era. Even the role of Sanjay Datta , a righteous hot headed Muslim garage owner has been adorable. The characters being of different religious background have added to cosmopolitan identity of our Mumbai.
The end has also shown in continuity of life….with abrupt changes too, it does not stop, it moves ahead! Really enjoyable and must see for those who like to watch good movies!!