Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Rahul Bose | ... | Raja Chowdhury / Jehangir Chowdhury | |
Konkona Sen Sharma | ... | Meenakshi Iyer (as Konkona Sensharma) | |
Bhisham Sahni | ... | Iqbal Ahmed Khan (as Bhisham Sahani) | |
Surekha Sikri | ... | Najma Khan | |
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Sunil Mukherjee | ||
Anjan Dutt | |||
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Esha Chauhan | ||
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Kalyan Ray | ... | Voice overs |
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P.P. Bajaj | ... | Voice overs |
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Rahul Mulani | ... | Voice overs |
Shernaz Patel | ... | Voice overs | |
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Theron D'Souza | ... | Voice overs |
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Mona Shetty | ... | Voice overs (as Mona Ghosh Shetty) |
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Vijaya Subramanium | ... | Meenakshi's Mother |
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A.V. Iyenger | ... | Meenakshi's Father |
Meenakshi Iyer comes from a devout Hindu Brahmin family, purely vegetarian, who not only abstain from meat, but also food from restaurants, is the only child, married to Subramaniam Iyer from Tamil Nadu, has just given birth to a young son, Santhanam, and is visiting her mom. It is then they receive news that her mother-in-law is ill and wants Meenakshi back home in Calcutta. The parents arrange to drop her and her son off at the bus-stand, where they are introduced to a young photographer named Raja Chowdhury. Meenakshi's parents ask Raja to look after her, to which he agrees. The bus starts off, taking it's passengers through scenic hillside. The bus driver comes across a sign that the regular road is closed and he decides to take another route. After a few hours the bus comes to a stop as there is a line-up of vehicles ahead. The passengers are told that there has been a terrorist attack on a train resulting in the death of about 200 people. The region, predominately Hindu, believe... Written by rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)
An exceptional movie. Aparna Sen's choice of majority Hindu population as perpetrators of communal violence was daring, and probably killed the film's prospects at the box office,but significant. There have been innumerable instances of communal violence in India against Muslims, lower class Hindus and Sikhs, for which not a single person has spent a day behind bars. True to life, Aparna Sen's film isn't focused on the violence or the people behind those crimes. That happens. The terror is in the background, only it's effect on the protagonists is visible on screen. The main story is about the change of heart of an orthodox, highly educated, prejudiced and ignorant woman. Some of the subtle nuances would probably escape non-Indian viewers, but there are plenty of things to appreciate for all. The ending ("Goodbye Mr Iyer") would easily be among the best 10 endings I have ever seen in any movies among them Mouchette and Dead Poet's Society. In the acting department,all the cast have acted well, but special mention must be made of Konkana Sensharma for her outstanding performance. Aparna Sen's direction is outstanding, and outclasses any of Mani Ratnam's films who makes similar kind of political-personal dramas. A must see movie for all.