Lootera - l'amour Sublime....!!!!

So we have had a romantic saga with great results recently (Raanjhanaa). Now added to it is the feeling of nostalgia. If the trailers are anything to go by, Lootera promised a love story with considerable depth and with that shot of nostalgia (being the movie is set in 1953-54). Coming from the house of modern film auteur Anuraag Kashyap and the director of Udaan, Lootera is an adaptation of O'Henry's short story "The Last Leaf" albeit with ample modifications. The expectation meter is high and one tends to feel that this movie might be a letdown due to that uncanny feeling that high expectations might dampen the actual viewing. Rest assured folks, that feeling is an absolute bummer. Lootera is Indian cinema in its most sublime form.

The Plot:
The plot revolves around the romance of Pakhi and Varun. Pakhi, the child of a rich landlord, meets an archaeologist visiting them and sparks fly. They have a passionate affair. But a shocking truth about Varun leaves her devastated and recouping from extreme sadness and a bad bout of a near fatal disease. Then, Varun enters he life again. What happens then forms the rest of the movie.


Screenplay and Direction:
The screenplay is a triumph of sorts for Vikramaditya Motwane and Bhavani Iyer. Not many would be able to make a period movie without glamourising the setting with brash Bollywood stereotypes. The most striking point is the meticulous detailing of the period setting. Here is one movie that shows the 50s as they were. Using some strategically placed historical references, popular 50s Bollywood music and typical 50s mannerisms to great effect, the plot moves at a suitably glacial pace not compromising one bit with it. The writing is so smooth that one feels that the movie is longer than it actually is but to the best effect. It turns out to be a rich and satisfying platter of emotions and soul stirring moments. The dialogue in the movie is so minimal and so uncomplicated that without the fine work on the finer nuances of the screenplay, this movie would have been an empty shell. The direction by Motwane is to be highly lauded. He has managed to give his own screenplay the very director that it needed. His style is very reminiscent of Udaan.

The Performances:

The performance by Sonakshi Sinha is her career best. She has proved that she isn't the 'Desi glam doll' she has been cast as till date. Her effort to play the happy, sad and ailing times of her character with the finesse of Sridevi in English Vinglish has resulted in a sure shot accolade puller. Added to this is how apt she looks for her character. Ranveer Singh gives a performance quite unlike his loud, happy go lucky Band Baaja Baaraat character. He has underplayed his role suitably well. Other actors in the principal cast do not have much to do, but have been well cast to say the least.

Technical Aspects:

The music of the film is easy on the ears and mellifluous. Amit Trivedi has given one of his best scores. He proves that he is to Anurag Kashyap what A R Rahman is to Mani Ratnam. The background score is commendable too. Like in Udaan, much of the talk in the movie is done by the way of its music. The score in the intense emotional sequences of the movie acts as a catalyst to engage the viewer. The cinematography by  Mahendra Shetty is picture postcard perfect. Through his lens, one gets the feel of the 50s and through his camerawork, one gets the feel of the emotions on screen. His usage of natural surroundings and lush greenery in intimate sequences is immaculate. Editing by Namrata Rao is water tight and the set pieces are very reminiscent of the 50s.

Lootera is by far, the best picture of the year, the best film of Sonakshi Sinha, the best film of Ranveer Singh and has the best score of Amit Trivedi till date. Needless to say, it is a sublime romance saga which is bound to involve the viewer with its emotional frankness and many subtleties of filmmaking. Though one feels that the movie is longer than 135 minutes, it is the feeling of eating a delectable desert that lasts long enough to soak in the sweetness. Lootera is an engaging romance drama by the team of Udaan. One can expect it to be showered with assorted accolades in the awards season. Go watch Lootera and do yourself a favour that you will be grateful for. Any plot hole that you may find in the film is merely lint on a Pashmina shawl. Lootera showcases nostalgia and l'amour sublime like seen very rarely in Bollywood.

Rating - 5 on 5.