WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The innocence of childhood love. The beauty of a connection made long ago, in youthful days, is something few might actually experience. Founded on purity and honor, its depth can be deceptively strong to those who witness its growth, and it can be a bond that roots itself deep within the heart, like an arrow loosed with precise intent. It is with such love that two now adult souls, Munish (Harshvardhan Kapoor) and Suchitra (Saiyami Kher), find themselves re-experiencing as circumstances have unexpectedly brought them across each other’s paths in life once again. Making events even more fantastical is that this adoration and abiding, passionate romance has blossomed before, burning within the very being of two very similar people from an age and tale long past.
In the present, Munish, going by the name Adil to hide a childhood decision that haunts him to the present day, finds himself a horse groomer for a wealthy prince, Karan (Anuj Choudhry). Blending in so as not to cause anyone to dig into his checkered past, Munish’s world is shaken having discovered the prince’s beautiful fiancé is his long lost sweetheart. Once Suchitra realizes who “Adil” actually is, she makes effort to reconnect with him, in turn stoking the fires of bygone yearning now stirring once again within each of them. While Munish resists, seeking solace in good friend Zeenat (Anjali Patil), the love embraced between him and Suchitra cannot be quelled. Making a final decision to champion their feelings towards one another, it soon becomes apparent, like their ancient, folklore-born counterparts, that sometimes, the price is dear.
Next, my Mind:
Taking a vividly visual, time era-spanning, fantasy/reality-based narrative combined with very fresh, non-commercial, independent film/artsy style and execution, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s 135-minute effort presents something different and apart compared against many of 2016’s major Bollywood releases–and folks, it works! It really works! Encompassing the elements of the traditional folk story “Mirza-Sahiban” and infusing it with a modern re-telling while still providing the viewer with a lush recounting of the original, linking the two in order to emphasize the parallels between the characters involved is fantastically filmed, keeping you glued to your seat, all while being enraptured by both couple’s epic love stories.
This was the major Hindi film debut of both leads, Harshvardhan Kapoor and Saiyami Kher, and being honest, they both do a wonderful and effective job in the roles of Munish and Suchitra, while then pulling double duty in also portraying their fictional counterparts, Mirza and Sahiban. For this reviewer, Kapoor certainly embodies both characters well, but admittedly found the ancient Mirza presented with more bravado and overall, emotive intensity in execution than the contemporary-set Munish. Kher is ethereally radiant, with truly stunning eyes and flowing locks, and her performances as both Suchitra and Sahiban carried deep, emotionally charged, fiery weight that fuels both her characters’ purpose and intent. The two together have unmistakable chemistry, giving the film’s finale, from both tale’s perspectives, its punch.
Strong and pivotal supporting turns by Choudhry as the jilted, vengeful Prince Karan, Patil as Munish’s confidant and profoundly loyal companion Zeenat, plus additionally excellent appearances by Art Malik, K.K. Raina, and the hugely beloved veteran Om Puri, all assist in making this film come alive. In total, with its gorgeous cinematography, superb musical score and dance sequences, and timeless themes of star-crossed love and undying devotion, “Mirzya” is not the typical Bollywood event film by definition, but surely is in presentation, heart, soul, and design, which makes it one to watch without question.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
