Dev D is not a classic, it's not even the best movie i have watched. It's not profound, deeply moving and i can easily tell you 100 movies far superior to Dev D. So what was so unique about this bollywood movie, which is claimed to be a modern take of a classical Devdas?
Im not an expert in technicalities of movies, neither will I pretend. What drew my attention was that, for once, I was not witnessing a Bhartiya Nari.
Movies, in general, like novels have heroes and heriones, people who symbolise the essence and virtue prized by the community. In Bollywood, it reflects into a beautiful, vivacious, lily-white virgins and strong, morally-upright, protective heroes. The ladies are always ready to sacrifice, shadow their men, decorate houses, talk a lot. The gentlemen will fight for a cause, protect the downtrodden, their lady loves honour, love their family.
To meet the new age Paro, who didnt hesitate to bite Dev in fury was a revelation! A Dev, who wanted Paro to send him her unclad photograph, thrashed the idea of the morally-upright hero. To find a 'hero' with double standards and arrogance didnt gel with the conservative ideas, did it? And Paro! I can just go on and on about that character. Her blind devotion to the less than ideal man. Her boldness to fix a place for their "meeting". The shortlived sorrow at being discarded like an old glove. Her ruthless toppling of Dev from the pedestal. The arranged marriage. And dispite all these upheavals, retaining her innocence and maternal instinct.
Modern Chanda had a tougher role to play. This time round, Chanda paled before the fiery Paro.
What impressed me was that, for once, the woman decided not to sacrifice herself. She held the man by his collar and showed him her true worth. Not for her, the Sati and widows white, the gajar ka halwa and the useless tears. She wanted love. If she didnt get it, to hell with it! she gets the next best substitute, money and status. And she is not ashamed of this seemingly selfish deeds. She knows that this is the way the world moves.
It's not enough to just worship the idol of Durga and Lakshmi and Saraswati. Respect for woman, with all her virtues and failings, have to start from home. As for woman, it's time she loved herself, accepted that she can make mistakes, she can earn and can speak for herself. She does not need a man to complete her identity.
As for men, they should cease looking for whores to fill their beds and wives to fill their homes and provide them heirs.
No comments:
Post a Comment