New Delhi: 'Wazir' tells the story of the relationship of two men of different generations, backgrounds and religion (Farhan and Amitabh). Both have lost their young, beautiful daughters in most ill-fated circumstances. The pain of that loss is unforgiving to them. Yet it gives depth and meaning to their friendship. Pain does take away. But it can give also. Only if we are open and ready to receive.
The movie tells the story of a deep bond between two men brought together by grief and loss. Their attempt to redress it makes it a thriller. The movie has many flaws. The flaws which you want to ignore. Like that of a new friend whose warmth makes you close your eyes to her imperfections.
A thriller is driven by speed, surprise and intrigue. It challenges our mind and draws us to the edge of our seat. A relationship driven story on the other hand has to touch our raw nerves. It has to have depth of emotions. The two genres are completely different. The first half weaves the two genres seamlessly. The narration grips our mind and the story our heart.
I have always wondered why movies are obsessed with boy-girl love stories and why so many of them are successful. Is it because conventional love stories fill a void in our emotions, and help us lead vicarious lives? I can only raise the questions. Answers I will leave for better minds. But the fact is that numerous other kinds of relationships with people occupying an equally or even more significant place in our lives are hardly considered for film scripts.
It is heartwarming to now see some Hindi movies trying to explore relationships other than a romantic one between man and woman. Piku had a problematic relationship with her father. Bajrangi Bhai Jaan fell in love (non-romantic) with a tiny, gorgeous girl. In 'Wazir' a young man finds an older pal.
With the death of his daughter, Farhan’s relationship with his wife (Aditi Rao) has dried up leaving Farhan the company of his complete loneliness. The newfound friendship with an old man reinvigorates this young man. Their relationship, which develops through the metaphors and imagery of the game of chess, has many genuinely warm and witty moments.
Farhan’s wife had left him after the death of their daughter, blaming him for her death. One warm relationship engenders another. The slightly frozen love story of Farhan and Aditi Rao is revived. This is narrated with utmost sophistication. No words are exchanged, only glances. Aditi Rao is a powerhouse performer who sets the screen ablaze without saying anything, speaking with her eyes alone. The only other actress who has such powerful and communicative eyes is Tabu.
The ups and downs in these relationships are narrated along with the twists and turns of the unfolding story of the death of Amitabh’s daughter where the pawn starts challenging the king. The first half is so good that you rise from the seat reluctantly during the intermission.
In the second half the regular Hindi movie flaws catch up. The understated emotions and relationships become slightly melodramatic. The plot has some loose ends in the second half. The director’s attempt to explain everything takes away surprise and mystery, the core of any thriller. I have always wondered why Indian netas and movie directors underestimate people’s intelligence. Some of our directors can benefit from the cliché that things left unsaid can say a lot.
The fact is that the director’s attempt to make a taut thriller with deep emotions fails. Yet the attempt is eminently watchable – because of some brilliant performances attempting to tell us a story undeniably worth telling; for the quality of the background score of the movie which is deep and meaningful. The songs tell the story with melody and philosophical uncertainty. But mainly because the first half of the movie makes us realize the possibilities and the beauty of a deep relationship between two humans who have nothing in common except grief.
Let me end on a philosophical note: O fortunate ones! How unfortunate you are. For you have not known the depth of misery.
(Santosh Kumar is a Delhi based Advocate)
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