Synopsis :
Dharm is a film that needs to be made mandatory viewing in all schools across
India if we really want to build a secular nation, whilst not giving up on our
traditional heritage. More importantly, it needs to be screened – FREE
public viewings – for each and every communally sensitive town, locality,
and colony. Finally, it should be made compulsory viewing for some of our political
leaders – and I don't take names – who have made a killing out of
orchestrated communal frenzy and caste violence.
Dharm is not an ordinary film. Its power lies in the fact that it gives us
a progressive interpretation of religion, straight from the head pontiff who
has pursued a life of unwavering religiosity. A respected Brahmin priest, Pandit
Chaturvedi (Pankaj Kapoor) has dominated the spiritual landscape of Benares
with his strict adherence to the traditional tenets of practiced Hinduism. Like
all conventional priests, he believes in the caste and communal differences
and his world almost falls apart when he realizes he has adopted a Muslim child.
The foundling who became Kartikeya for him was actually Mustafa, a child lost
in the communal carnage that had ripped the city apart. When the child's mother
returns, Pankaj as the devout priest; as the man who falls in love with the
child; not only lets Kartikeya go, but as the torchbearer of his faith also
cleanses his home, mind, body and soul by undergoing days of penance.
Is this the true essence of Dharm? No, declares the devout priest, when the
city begins to rage once again in the communal cauldron and his followers brandish
their sharpened swords in half-burnt colonies. Then, an enlightened Priest is
the one who stands amidst the bloodbath and challenges his followers who attack
with swords and fire torches. Eyes drop, swords fall to the ground, as he calls
out to Kartikeya in the locality they have come to burn, and kill, and walks
hand-in-hand with a Muslim child.
Set against the scenic backdrop of the Benares ghats, the film ends up equating
Dharm with its true tenets: the world is one big family; any discrimination
on the basis of caste, color, community and religion is anti Dharm. Pankaj Kapoor
towers like a colossus amidst the dying social fabric and what could have been
an instructive sermon on spirituality,turns up as an uplifting soul curry.
Brilliant photography, a very good soundtrack and top class performance from
Pankaj Kapoor. I would recommend this film for every youngster. In fact, schools
should put up a circular urging their students, besides facilitating them, to
see this movie. Education begins at the grass roots. Let's teach the future
of our nation, that religion is all about humanity. That to love one another
as God loves us is the biggest act of faith.
- Cast : Pankaj Kapur ... Pandit Chaturvedi
- Rest of cast listed alphabetically :
- Hrishitaa Bhatt ... Surya Prakash - Singh's Sister
- Daya Shankar Pandey
- Supriya Pathak ... Pandit Chaturvedi's Wife
- K.K. Raina
- Pankaj Tripathy
- Studio/Banner : TIMES MUSIC
- Format : DVD
- Language : Hindi
|
|
