What is it all about
`Lootera' does a rare feat.. It's not only a good cinema but also rewarding and inspiring something of a triumph.
Balaji's first love story and Vikramaditya Motwane second outing after the highly acclaimed `Udaan' is an intoxicating vintage heart stealer that piously and poignantly raises the bar of bollywod cinema and making all of us awed by the magic called cinema.. Sheer delight.
The Story
Vikramaditya Motwane and Bhavani Iyer twine their love story with O.Henry's short story `The Last Leaf' for an uplifting saga of love..
its Circa 1953 West Bengal.. Government of India has introduced The State Acquisition and Tenancy Act where Zamindars (landlords) loyal to the British Government are liable to lose their titles, treasure and benefits.
A charming archaeologist Varun Shrivastav (Ranveer Singh) walks into the Haveli in Manikpur and enters into the heart of the local zamindar's lovely daughter Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha).. Varun has come to excavate the temple grounds of the local Zamindar for some age old civilization buried around the Zamindar's temple. As the digging goes on Varun manages to win the heart of the Zamindar while his heart beats for Palkhi who also feels the same. In a dramatic turnout Varun and Palkhi get separated even after Zamindar's approval..
They meet again after a year in Dalhousie going through hatred, pain, anger, faith, betrayal and undying love..
What to look out for
Vikramaditya Motwane in his second outing doesn,t take a step up the ladder but jumps into the elevator and that defines the strength and the talent this filmmaker has.. it's a rare achievement to go and grow up in your second film and better the first one which has already find accolades.
Vikramaditya Motwane deftly crafts this period love saga where the early 50's is remarkably depicted, all is done with astonishing detail and panache. Be it the radio, the fan, telephone, interiors, costumes, cars, the legendary Geeta Dutt's (taqdeeer se bigdi hui from Baazi) Kazvin Dangor and Dhara Jain (sets), Subarna Ray Chaudhuri (costumes) deserve special mention. They all make us feel the nostalgia.
Beautifully written by Vikramaditya Motwane and Bhavani Iyer the movie moves like a poetry.. Vikramaditya Motwane as a director does an outstanding job by first impressing us with the eye, then entering into our minds till the first half... holding us by the throat in the second and finally entering into our heart by the ends reels.. the movie gets over on the screen but it we carry it in our hearts and we find layers in its due course... magic.
Vikramaditya Motwane makes u feel for the characters you care for them.. the chemistry between Ranveer and Sonakshi is lovingly charming.
Mahendra Shetty camera work is a treat to the eye.
The performance are top notch where Ranveer Singh is firs rate.. we are aware of his talents and his dancing skills but here in `Lootera' he `seriously' betters himself giving an intensely pious and moving performance. Superb.
Sonakshi Sinha gives her career best so far in this role which offers her great substance. She wrongs her critics who labeled her as a show piece in b-town super star's action masala's. Sonakshi as the bong beauty certainly makes the viewers follow her emotions she makes the viewers angry, sad, happy along with her. Marvelous.
Barun Chanda as the Zamindar is excellent.
The other supporting cast that includes Divya Dutta, Vikrant Massey, Shirin Guha and Adil Husian do their job well.
Amit Trivedi's music adds a soothing melody to this moving poetry..
What not
There is literally nothing wrong with it. Its extremely difficult to have a single nit to pick, minor flaw to point out or little bit that can make a cinema lover dislike `Lootera'.. may be the easy, laid back, poetic pace might be a issue for some over the top masala oriented souls..
Conclusion: Designed and crafted for the lovers of good cinema `Lootera' is a genuine heart stealer where Vikramaditya Motwane amazingly takes you to places and times where he himself hasn't been before and the audience go along with him and feel the magic.
Rating: 4/5
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