IRFAAN SINGH TOMAR

Today I had gone for an interview but I was more excited about the new biopic ‘Paan Singh Tomar’. The plan was to watch it in a theater which is situated in b/w my home (UP border :D) and the place of interview(ahead ANANDVIHAR). The reason I choose that hall because the show timing was 12:30 pm adequate for me to reach home in time to avoid quarrel with my family because I wasn’t going to tell them that I had seen a movie today(actual reason: I have only 50 rupees and the theater was world class in 50 bucks).

My interview ended at 11:50 and it’s a 20 min ride to the theater but there is always a Firkin BUT. I had to change two buses and the second bus stop was at the depot so it was far from where the 1st bus had dropped me. So I ran, I ran till my lungs started pumping battery acid and then I ran some more (courtesy FIGHTCLUB). No I didn’t run that much but ya it’s similar to that since I was in formal clothes and shoes. The 2nd bus dropped me at ‘old Seemapuri’ precisely at 12:30 but (again) the theater (MOVIE PALACE) was 5 min far on foot, I ran again.

At 12:33 I reached the ticket counter and ask for the 50 rupees ticket and sprinted towards the hall (I became paan singh tomar today). The film had started and I missed a couple of dialogues (most importantly the controversial one). I tried to approach my seat but it was pitch black. I bumped in to a wall and almost fall while stumbling on the steps three times before recognizing the pattern. I sit on the first seat I saw with the guidance of light threw by the torch man.

Here starts the movie watching. PAAN SINGH (Irfan) was telling his stories to an MEALY-MOUTHED and fawning reporter. After that it was a rollercoaster ride throughout the film. People think that a true story film or biopic will be serious or artsy but this was both artsy and ENTERTAINING.

The story can be seen into 3 parts; golden past, struggle and finally the BAAGHIPANA (Action). After knowing that Tigmanshu Dhulia director of HASIL and also assistant to Shekhar Kapur in the brilliant BANDIT QUEEN my expectations were already up. And he had delivered it excellently and intelligently. Credit to him and his crew and the camera work and the cast in the hostile terrains.
What makes this film enchanting is the paramount performance of the exalted IRFAN KHAN. In Paan Singh Tomar’s role he beautifully portrayed a successful sports person and an honorable family man who loves his wife and children and in the end a forced Rebel (BAAGHI). This was no clichéd Irfan’s trademark performance but this time he clinched a character and played it with a new style. He scored 10/10.

MAHI GILL had a very brief role in the film but she aids in the continuity of the film in the role of a loving wife very effectively. The other cast members had supported Irfan at their best. His character gave comedy, love, obstinately, helplessness, wisdom, leadership and wrath all together very smartly. It is the best performance by anybody this year so far.

I have a request to the film industry (the jury) that please ATLEAST nominate this film, direction and performance in the top category. If not then it will be a great loss to the industry.

Finally I want to say that the film ‘PAAN SINGH TOMAR’ is a great film and if you hadn’t watched it then you are being deprived of good cinema.
So do watch it and enjoy the talent

बीहड़ में बागी़ होते हें, डकैत होते हैं PARLIAMENT में .