Raincoat

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Last evening hubby was talking to MIL, discussing about Monsoon and weather in respective cities they stay. I was reading a book at that time and not focusing on the conversation. I just heard the word raincoat and absolutely clueless about on what context the word was used. I shall ask hubby in the evening I suppose.

As my mind wanders off all the time, it started recollecting the movie named "Raincoat" and it warmed my heart. Adding to it is the pleasant, breezy, and cool Bangalore climate compelled me to jot down few lines. We have watched the film quite a while ago.

Directed by Rituparno Ghosh 'Raincoat' is the filmy adaptation of O'Henry's (William Sydney Porter) short story 'The Gift of the Magi'. I'm totally ignorant of this writer and his works. Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai are the main lead, supported by Anu Kapoor, Mauli Ganguly, Surekha Sikir and others. 

The plot starts with newly unemployed Manu (Devgan) visiting Kolkota to pool money from friends to start up a new business. Here he stays with his friend, Alok and his wife who is extremely considerate and helpful. Manu has another reason to be in Kolkota, which is to meet his ex, Neeru who is married and settled in this city now. On a rainy evening he visits her. The former couple starts conversing about old and current life.

Here both Manu and Neeru pretends to lead a happy and affluent life. Manu bluffs being a successful TV producer wherein Neeru spins off stories about her grand lifestyle, globetrotting husband, maids, chauffeurs, rich heritage. In between Neeru goes out to fetch food for Manu wearing his raincoat. Now enters the landlord (Anu Kapoor) and film takes a different turn. How their pretense comes off and how they realize hard realities of each other's life is what rest of the story is.

I liked Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai's on-screen chemistry dearly in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. No, I didn't feel Salman-Aishwarya's pairing very appealing in that movie. Ajay Devgan's acting is intense, powerful, and he has sunk his teeth in to the role Manu. Aishwarya's appearance is pale, simple, and very much natural like any other house wives, nowhere near to her drop-dead-gorgeous self. And this is the only film where I could appreciate her as an actor.

Almost entire film is shot in a single room and attention to detail is very well taken care of. The background music lingers throughout the movie. A lot of people dismiss this movie as an art film. And yes, I agree. I agree this is not a film, this is indeed an art, an art that weaves an elegant story with such intensity that it fills the heart with emotion and longings. It could be counted as one of the best love stories in Indian cinema if you ask me.