By PV Vaidyanathan, January 28, 2007 - 08:53 IST 21 of 23 people found this review helpful
PARZANIA
Its five years since the carnage, that took place in Gujarat, following the torching of a railway compartment at Godhra. Even as most of us have forgotten those days, there are some who will remember them, for the rest of their lives. Parzania is one such film (gleaned from a real life incident)about a Parsi couple Cyrus (Naseerudin Shah) and Shernaz (Sarika) and their two children Parzan (Parzan Dastur) and Dilshaad (Pearl Barsiwala). The story is seen through the eyes of an American Allan (Nimen Coric), who comes to India to do a thesis on Gandhi, after leading a meaningless life in the US, a life full of booze, drugs and sex. Godhra happens, and the entire state erupts into retaliatory violence, with the connivance of the ruling party. In one such attack on a cosmopoitan chawl, Parzan is lost for ever, even as his mother flees for her life, with the daughter. The film deals with the family's unsuccesful search for the boy. The potent climax of the film is the testimony of the witnesses and those affected, in the presence of the Human Rights Commission. Till the end, the boy is never found, and his whereabouts remain a mystery
What I liked about the movie:
The true presentation of the violence that rocked Gujarat, and the trauma and losses of the people who happened to be there, is very well depicted. The film is bound to touch the heart of anyone who sees it, and is bound to raise many questions, primarily one which asks " Have we, as a nation, gone crazy? Has a human life no value? And when are we going to stop falling victims to politics and religion?
What I didn't like about the movie:
The film's language is English, and this makes it a bit articifial. Had the film been in Hindi or even Gujrathi, the impact would have been much more. also, the pace of the film is a bit slow
Would you recommend this movie to your friend: Yes
