Meghna Gulzar's much-awaited Talvar is the latest inna the rising genre of films inspired by true stories
THE TIMES OF INDIA (September 27, 2015)
For millions of Indians, movies are an escape from reality. In the dark of the auditorium, the day's drudgery dissipates as tales of romance, action and drama unfold on the screen.
That's why films based on real-life stories are exceptions rather than the rule in Bollywood. Yet, with the maturing of the audience there's been a steady rise of such films in recent years. Director Meghna Gulzar's Talvar, based on the baffling double murders of Aarushi and Hemraj in 2008, is the latest in this line-up.Feted by critics and audiences at the Toronto international film festival, Talvar is one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year.
Real-life stories on celluloid grabbed headlines when No One Killed Jessica became one of the most talked-about films of 2011. The movie, which took its title from a TOI headline, depicted the killing of model Jessica Lal who was shot by Manu Sharma, son of a prominent Congress politician at a crowded Delhi farmhouse party in 1999. The film, released 12 years after the murder, brought out the bewildering twists and turns of the case. Lauded by critics and audiences, the film fetched a Filmfare award for Rani Mukerji in the role of a bold and brash journalist investigating the case.
More recently, the life and death of activist-lawyer Shahid Azmi was the subject of another topical feature film, Shahid (2013). Azmi, who had defended several Muslims charged under Pota and won several acquittals on their behalf, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Mumbai. Frank and forthright, director Hansal Mehta's film earned both critical acclaim and box-office rewards.
No One Killed Jessica and Shahid brought out the flaws in the police investigations and the justice system. Talvar, too, raises a host of disconcerting questions about the manner in which the case was pursued by the cops and the way conclusions were arrived at.
The history of Hindi films based on real incidents actually dates back to the pre-Independence era, if we include biopics such as V Shantaram's Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946). The film told the stirring life story of Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis who offered medical help to thousands of patients in China during World War II. Then again, in 1959, upscale Bombay was riveted by the infamous Nanavati case. Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati, a commander in the Navy, shot dead Prem Ahuja, the lover of his wife Sylvia. The crime gripped the public imagination. The 1963 film, Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke, claimed to be a work of fiction but the plot bore distinct resemblance to the Nanavati case. However, the movie failed to strike a chord with critics or audience.
Ram Gopal Varma, too, is known to borrow slices of real life for his screenplays. Not A Love Story (2011) was based on the gruesome Neeraj Grover murder. Actress Maria Susairaj and her boyfriend Lt M L Jerome Mathew were sentenced to jail in the case. Another Varma film, The Attacks of 26/11, sought to recreate the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
In recent times, biopics on sportspersons have clicked. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Paan Singh Tomar and Mary Kom are three commendable examples. The Dirty Picture, based on the tempestuous life of actor Silk Smitha, did wonders to the career of Vidya Balan.
Two other interesting films based on real incidents are Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday and director Neeraj Pandey's Special 26, which recreated a 1987 heist in which a group of conmen skimmed a well-known jeweller of Mumbai. Black Friday had a docu-drama feel and was a compelling take on the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
That's why films based on real-life stories are exceptions rather than the rule in Bollywood. Yet, with the maturing of the audience there's been a steady rise of such films in recent years. Director Meghna Gulzar's Talvar, based on the baffling double murders of Aarushi and Hemraj in 2008, is the latest in this line-up.Feted by critics and audiences at the Toronto international film festival, Talvar is one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year.
Real-life stories on celluloid grabbed headlines when No One Killed Jessica became one of the most talked-about films of 2011. The movie, which took its title from a TOI headline, depicted the killing of model Jessica Lal who was shot by Manu Sharma, son of a prominent Congress politician at a crowded Delhi farmhouse party in 1999. The film, released 12 years after the murder, brought out the bewildering twists and turns of the case. Lauded by critics and audiences, the film fetched a Filmfare award for Rani Mukerji in the role of a bold and brash journalist investigating the case.
More recently, the life and death of activist-lawyer Shahid Azmi was the subject of another topical feature film, Shahid (2013). Azmi, who had defended several Muslims charged under Pota and won several acquittals on their behalf, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Mumbai. Frank and forthright, director Hansal Mehta's film earned both critical acclaim and box-office rewards.
No One Killed Jessica and Shahid brought out the flaws in the police investigations and the justice system. Talvar, too, raises a host of disconcerting questions about the manner in which the case was pursued by the cops and the way conclusions were arrived at.
The history of Hindi films based on real incidents actually dates back to the pre-Independence era, if we include biopics such as V Shantaram's Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946). The film told the stirring life story of Dr Dwarkanath Kotnis who offered medical help to thousands of patients in China during World War II. Then again, in 1959, upscale Bombay was riveted by the infamous Nanavati case. Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati, a commander in the Navy, shot dead Prem Ahuja, the lover of his wife Sylvia. The crime gripped the public imagination. The 1963 film, Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke, claimed to be a work of fiction but the plot bore distinct resemblance to the Nanavati case. However, the movie failed to strike a chord with critics or audience.
Ram Gopal Varma, too, is known to borrow slices of real life for his screenplays. Not A Love Story (2011) was based on the gruesome Neeraj Grover murder. Actress Maria Susairaj and her boyfriend Lt M L Jerome Mathew were sentenced to jail in the case. Another Varma film, The Attacks of 26/11, sought to recreate the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
In recent times, biopics on sportspersons have clicked. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Paan Singh Tomar and Mary Kom are three commendable examples. The Dirty Picture, based on the tempestuous life of actor Silk Smitha, did wonders to the career of Vidya Balan.
Two other interesting films based on real incidents are Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday and director Neeraj Pandey's Special 26, which recreated a 1987 heist in which a group of conmen skimmed a well-known jeweller of Mumbai. Black Friday had a docu-drama feel and was a compelling take on the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
