Fitoor (2016)

In a world where Bollywood is often predictable and formulaic, "Fitoor" emerges as a mesmerizing oddity that defies conventional storytelling. Released in 2016, this visually stunning and emotionally complex film takes the viewer on a whimsical journey into the Wonderland of love and longing. With its eccentric characters, poetic dialogues, and sumptuous visuals, "Fitoor" is a deliciously quirky concoction that leaves you bewitched, baffled, and yearning for more.

At the heart of "Fitoor" are its eccentric characters, who are as charming as they are enigmatic. Noor (played by Aditya Roy Kapur) is a brooding artist who becomes infatuated with the ethereal Firdaus (Katrina Kaif). Their love story is an exquisite dance between passion and pain, with an intensity that borders on the absurd. Begum Hazrat (Tabu) is sounding out the eccentric cast, whose presence is alluring and unsettling. These characters are like pieces of a surreal puzzle, leaving you questioning their motives and the depths of their desires.

"Fitoor" is a feast for the eyes, with every frame painstakingly crafted like a work of art. The film's director, Abhishek Kapoor, treats each scene as a canvas, drenching it in a mesmerizing palette of colors that evokes a dreamlike quality. From the picturesque landscapes of Kashmir to the opulent havelis of Delhi, every location becomes a character in itself, adding depth and texture to the narrative. The visual poetry of "Fitoor" is so enchanting that you can almost taste the emotions painted on the screen.

In "Fitoor," the narrative unfolds like a labyrinthine maze, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. The story is an adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel "Great Expectations," but it is not bound by its source material. Instead, it takes flight into a realm of whimsy and fantasy, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The dialogues, dripping with poetic metaphors and symbolic nuances, give the film a touch of ethereal absurdity. It's a narrative that demands surrender to its quirkiness, and those who embrace it are rewarded with a unique and unforgettable experience.

No analysis of "Fitoor" would be complete without mentioning its enchanting soundtrack. Composed by Amit Trivedi, the music weaves seamlessly into the fabric of the film, heightening its emotional impact. From the haunting melodies of "Pashmina" to the passionate "Yeh Fitoor Mera," the songs encapsulate the essence of the film's themes of love, longing, and obsession. The music of "Fitoor" is a hypnotic spell that lingers long after the credits roll.

What do you guys think of this movie?

Fitoor reduces Great Expectations to a love story, which I don't think it is. Pip doesn't love Estella, he is infatuated with her. She is the personification of his desire for social mobility. The Kashmir setting would have made it easy for them to explore the class dynamics, but they don't really bother at all in Fitoor.

That would still have been fine if they had actors to carry the role. It's just like watching two models walk around each other on a never ending ramp. The film should have been made with Sushant. ARK just doesn't have it in him.

Katrina's casting is straight up bizarre. Estella is an ice-queen but she is not an expressionless robot. Abhishek just went for her because she fit his idea for Estella visually.

Tabu is the saving grace. But she is too young for this film. Rekha would have been a fantastic casting for this. Especially in Bollywood, where actors do bring their own personalities into the characters.

While this film was visually stunning, there were so many things that could have made this film great. The casting was okay, and I felt the story just wasn't strong enough for me. I do like your analysis!