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Reviews
Do Ankhen Barah Haath (1957)
an Indian Viewpoint
I was indeed lucky to have seen this movie on big screen,that too in Japan. Do Aankhen Barah Haath, should be viewed keeping in mind that the movie was made in 1957, when melodrama played a huge part in acting (as opposed to say, a "Dil Chahta Hai" made recently).
The initial credits of DABH shows that the movie has been based on a real story..The movie, apart from being an extremely pleasant one (its optimistic tone and the chosen subject of reforming 6 hardened murderers into honest,non-violent farmers), shows a picture of the social milieu that covered India during the times the movie was made.
Some particular scenes really touched me , most predominant of which was when one of the convicts' mother , a frail old lady brings her grandchildren to meet her son. It was one of the most natural,real and effusive show of affection shown on the big screen, that I had seen, and the scene immediately made me remember the people in my grandfather's village.
V.Shantaram has used a simple screenplay without complex reactions to show the pathos and feelings experienced by the convicts. Still, certain scenes such as the one showing the Barber-convict requesting the Jailor to have a shave are very natural.
To put it in a nutshell, Do Aankhen Barah Haath is an extremely optimistic movie that can endure beyond eras and times.
Hey Ram (2000)
An eye-opener?
Hey Ram! is more than a movie. Its an eye-opener. The sensitivities that affect Saket Ram, the protagonist of the movie, and bring about vissicitudes in his character and his life, would only be understood by those who have lived in the times of the Partition of India or who have lost their kin and kith in events of Religious Riots in India.
There are several statements made in the film (in my opinion, though I am not sure if the director intends to or not), first, how in the course of being affected in a bloody riot, a perfectly normal and sensible human being can be turned into a savage animal who disregards his morals and becomes a killer. (The brutalization of Saket Ram's wife and his reaction to the incident).
The second statement is how, any human being can be elevated into the status of a "Mahatma", a Great Soul, by the simple act of curbing his/her vengeful instincts for the protection of his "avenger". (Saket Ram coming to the defence of his erstwhile friend, Amjad Khan, after seeing his friend in danger).
These statements made a telling effect on my psyche.
Another superbly enacted scene, in which Shahrukh Khan, playing Amjad says to Kamal playing Saket Ram, ".. I beg your forgiveness for killing your wife, and I forgive you for killing my Father..", and also the scene, when Amjad Khan espouses to Saket after Saket asks him to hide, when a murderous Hindu Mob searches for him, ".. So..you are trying to protect me!.. ".. These statements are very very valid in the present day world, where religious strife has become the core reason for several of our world problems, including Terrorism to say the least.
Hey Raam! is a complex movie, no doubt, but watched with patience and self-introspect, one could definitely understand the nuances that the director wants to imply.
Hey Raam! is a lesson as to how, compassion, level-headedness and brotherliness are the only solutions even in moments of extreme discord or distress between fellow human beings.
This movie has brilliant acting performances by Kamal (obviously!), Shahrukh Khan and even Vasundhara Das (who plays the role of a typical Indian woman, who inspite of her core values, condones her husband, inspite of him participating in a hunting expedition, after he exhibits his sexuality as love towards her).
Truly, a tremendous movie, with a wide array of nuances to be studied and looked for. A must-see for introspective people who are building their character in a way that they can soon be leaders of the nation.
I am a changed man since I saw Hey Raam!.