Movie - Raincoat

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Posted: 20 years ago

Rituparno's debut in Bollywood is a classic

By Pankaj Shukla

Critic's -I-view

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He made his debut on celluloid at the age of 23. His love for films has been on the lines of dedication of Rabindra Nath Tagore for literature. He may not be as great as Tagore in writing but his viewpoint to look into the vulnerability of women in society is almost the same. He feels pain when his protagonist is devoid of happiness in relationship, his heart quenches for a drop of rain (monsoon) when his character feels thirsty for love. He seems to be restless when his creation is dejected and down. Meet Rituparno Ghosh the new entrant in Hindi cinema. Rituparno is a well-known name for connoisseurs of good cinema. His last film 'Chokher Bali' with Aishwarya Rai won him and his actress both loads of accolades.

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He unites with diva damsel once again to bring for us another complex romance 'Raincoat', this time with Ajay Devgan as an added attraction. This is Ajay Devgan's fourth film with Aishwarya Rai after 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Hum Kisise Kum Nahin' and 'Khakee'. The pair seems to be gelling well together and the method actor in Ajay Devgan seems to getting mature day by day with every film he does with the film makers who understand his quality to emote brilliantly with his eyes and gestures. Watching 'Raincoat' is an experience to go back into your memories. Its like watching one's past happening in front of your eyes. Those who have loved some one and then parted will feel the pain more and those who love to be loved will find the film a showcase of these relations.

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The story of 'Raincoat' starts from where Kalidas left it in his epic 'Meghdoot'. It takes a lot of inspiration from the depiction love by famous poet Jayadev in 'Geet Govinda'. It also takes inspiration from those ragas of Indian music, which depict separation. When rain comes pouring down, every heart feels the romance and grief together. The theme of this kind of love is universal. But in the Indian context the pangs of the two hearts separated by destiny are felt the most. The two estranged lovers in 'Raincoat' are Manoj Tripathi (Ajay Devgan) from a small town and Neeru (Aishwarya Rai) married to a rich businessman in Kolkata. Manoj comes to Kolkata with a desire to see his lost love. He is passing through the bad phase of life and is in search of some monetary help for his ailing mother (Surekha Sikri) back at home. He finds shelter in his friend's place and gets a caring host in the friend's wife (Mauli Ganguly).

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He sets about to meet with his lost love in a borrowed raincoat on a pouring afternoon. He has come to the big town with lots of hope. And, then he rings the bell of his ladylove for whom he had dreamt both in broad daylight and on his bed with eyes closed but no sign of sleep. Manoj meets Neeru in her dark drawing room. There is no light; the antique furniture is all around and then she opens all the chapters of her married life in front of a person who she loved most once. He tells her a story too that he is weaving right there with every line coming one after another as extempore but all false.

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'Raincoat' is a film to be watched with relaxed mind. It is a film that may remind many of the pangs shown in the film. Though, it is true that not many films with a female protagonist have worked in the Hindi belt but Rituparno's has a specialty. His films have always been women-centered maybe because he empathizes with the gender. Those who have seen his earlier films will vouch for the fact that Rituparno's forte is his ability to read and portray the unwritten nuances of difficult relationships and highlight the unique combination of strength and vulnerability that women are.

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'Raincoat' is a story layered with love and deceit at the same time. It is a story that rises above the boundaries of a narration of human bonding. He says much with expressions and pauses than with his dialogues. Having written the film himself Rituparno unfolds the film like a novel. In the start, one can feel uneasy with what's going on on the screen but as the film progresses the viewer tends to get involved with it. 'Raincoat' is a film to see and experience for you.

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Rituparno Ghosh has lived up to the expectation that he has from his fans. He starts with a lingo that is more common with that of the common men of the cow belt. Then he sets his film in the bhadralok, and before any one could realize his narration grasp the audience takes over from him. Ajay Devgan as Manoj Tripathi has once again excelled in his performance. The nitty gritties that he brings in for his character make him look more comfortable on screen as a lost soul. He makes the happenings around him interesting with his body language. The time when he cries in the bathroom shows how capable he is in acting with his silence. And, Aish has come a long way after getting the right takeoff in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'.

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After doing Nandini, Manasi and Binodini, the character of Neeru is another feather in her cap. The poetry by Gulzar helps a lot in building up the background for her character. Its music by Debjyoti Misra with the help of vocals by Shubha Mudgal helps in getting the feel right for the movie. On the whole, 'Raincoat' is a movie for those who like classy and delicate films. The slow pace of the narration may not go well with the lovers of masala flicks but if you have an inclination for classic, go for it.

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Movie - Raincoat

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