The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : This film goes nowhere

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Saturday, Aug 30, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

This film goes nowhere

Film: Chamku

Cast: Bobby Deol, Priyanka Chopra

Director: Kabeer Kaushik

Really, reality is not everybody’s cake. Certainly not Kabeer Kaushik’s, his promising debut “Sehar” notwithstanding. “Chamku”, riding high on promise again, has a fine subject.

Naxal problem

The director talks of the problem of naxalites, their ideology, the failure of the system to provide two square meals to the vast multitudes.

But he only takes half stabs at reality, often weakening his case with a technique of narration that makes frequent use of flashback.

However, that is only part of the problem, or merely the fringe anomaly.

The real problem lies at the centre of it all: the hero Bobby Deol.

As a boy who sees his father done to death by rapacious landed elements, he falls into the hands of naxalites before, in turn, becoming a spy for the law protectors.

All this is only to lead to a vendetta saga, leaving us all with a feeling of being short-changed. Such wonderful possibilities, such tepid performances.

He occupies almost every frame of the film.

Bobby disappoints

Such is the attention on Bobby that Kabeer gives us a million close-ups of the hero – in a week-old stubble – that you wish he were better presented.

All that the camera does is to prove once and for all, director or no director, camera or no camera, author-backed role or in-house production, Bobby Deol is no actor.

He cannot move a facial muscle to save his life, he can hardly modulate his voice to save a drop of blood. And he cannot even dance to evoke a smile! He has for company Priyanka Chopra, a kindergarten teacher, in a role that faintly reminds us of Mahima Chaudhury’s lecturer in Kabeer’s first film. Similar saris, knotted blouses, sweet smiles and nothing to do.

Very much like the film that goes nowhere. Noble intent, ignoble execution. Hopefully “Sehar” was no false dawn. And “Chamku” just a hiccup for a talented director.

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