Anurag Kashyap's "Dobara" is a fascinating Hindi film based on the theme of time travel and parallel dimensions, which questions the standard procedure of Bollywood films in its unique storytelling. The film stars the super talented Taapsee Pannu and Pavel Gulati in lead roles and is an official adaptation of Oriol Paulo's Spanish film "Mirage". But the film is not just a scene by scene remake but an effective tribute to Indianize the original flavor.
The Outline
The film begins in 1996, where a boy named Anne is killed after being hit by a speeding car. Ane, played by Ariane Sawant, is a boy who is intrigued by the shooting of home videos and mysterious noises coming from his neighbor's house. 25 years later, Antara, played by Taapsee Pannu, moves into the same house in Pune, along with her husband Rahul (Rahul Bhatt) and their daughter Avanti. The film's twist comes when a freak lightning storm causes Antara to realize that there is. An old TV set in her home, acting as a device to communicate with Annie from the past.
Now that Antara has found the key to her past life and the boy's life, she must figure out how to stop Ani from dying. But how could this be possible without serious repercussions, where the film shows his current life collapsing with completely different consequences? She now wakes up to a completely different present where her husband is married to someone else, and her daughter was never born. So, this is the story of how everything gets back to normal.
Acting and Direction
Taapsee Pannu plays Antara with the grief and despair that presupposes a woman caught between two worlds, which she executes with a variety of emotions that give Antara the depth she needs to make her struggle believable and relatable. Pavel Gulati, who plays the supporting cop, anchors the film with his subdued performance against his frenetic energy.
And Anurag Kashyap's genius as a director lies in "Dobara": careful storytelling and tension building. A writer infamous for churning out twisted plots, Kashyap proves his mettle by fulfilling the promise of the title "Dobara", keeping the audience enthralled and left wondering till the last moment. Influences from Nolan's school are clearly evident, but he manages to add his trademark, making the film an Anurag Kashyap production.
Content and Implementation
"Again" reveals themes of time, fate and consequences playing with natural elements. What is reality in its purest form? How much say do we have in the decisions we make? Such questions keep the audience on their toes, as the screenplay and location zigzag, rewarding the audience with a satisfying intellectual thriller.
Elements of suspense and thriller are also added, with an impending storm keeping the fear and suspense levels on their toes. A literal and metaphorical device, the storm is also a dominant force, but the events that happen through it are unpredictable.
Cinematography and Music
The cinematography of "Dobara" is excellent as Sylvester Fonseca manages to capture the creepy, unsettling side of the film. The use of lighting, especially in storm scenes, adds to the mood of the film and enriches the viewing experience. The production design, too, surprisingly contrasts the two timelines, very subtly hinting at the changes in reality.
The music score of Shore Police fits well in the film and adds to the overall thrill and emotional quotient of the film. The background score is used well but sparingly, only punctuating the necessary moments without touching the scenes.
Critical Reception
"Dobara" has fared well with critics and has been praised for its ambitious story and strong performances. Thanks to Kashyap's direction and Pannu's performance as Antara, the film keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The adaptation has been hailed for its faithfulness to the original with a changed perspective on the story (Scroll.in) (India Today).
At the same time, some critics have said that the story has too many twists that might be overwhelming for some viewers. The emotional impact of the story also comes into question, as the suggestion of fewer twists should allow for deeper character and emotional development (India Today).
Rating
Based on ratings from various sources, "Dobara" has received an average rating of 3.6 out of 5. This reflected the film's generally positive reception, with particular praise for the film's ambitious story and strong performances.
Conclusion
"Dobara" is a standout in the Indian film space, a forward-thinking film that pushes the boundaries of thrillers with a tight script and convincing performances. Anurag Kashyap's direction and Taapsee Pannu's exemplary performance make this film intellectually and emotionally rewarding. Though complex in its execution, "Dobara" ultimately proves rewarding for the audience invested in its multifaceted story.
For fans of time travel and alternate reality stories, "Repeat" is a must-see, offering a fresh and exciting take on these themes. It is proof that Bollywood is no longer limited to masala films but is able to produce sophisticated and intellectually stimulating films that fit very well into international cinema.
Comments
Post a Comment