Raincoat
Love is never barter. Love is about giving. Raincoat (2004) made by Rituparno Ghosh is one such film that transfers you to the world of selfless love. It numbs you but in a beautiful way. It holds but shatters you right at the same point. A film that seems very basic but consumes layers and layers and layers.
Raincoat is about an unemployed man – Mannu (Ajay Devgn) who needs money, one who wishes to start his own business and in seek of help he visits Calcutta at his friend’s place. He decides to visit his ex girlfriend and the one whom he loved since his childhood – Neeru (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan). This is a one day story film which has it’s essence in it’s pauses and the conversation shared between Mannu and Neeru. Mannu holding up all his pain and requirements visits Neeru, who’s now married to a guy who’s supposed to be wealthier than Mannu. Neeru on seeing Mannu, is bit rattled but she holds herself too and invites him in and here, you witness one of the most pleasant yet hurting love story. Unspoken words and holding behind those words your emotions, it’s shown so apt here.
Mannu tries to know how Neeru is after her marriage and where is her husband, whether she’s happy or no. It’s always awkward when exes collide after years, isn’t it? Neeru tells Mannu that her husband is very rich and needs to travel for work. He’s a big man who keeps her happy and at the same time her eyes don’t speak what her tongue sounds. The conversation goes ahead and later, we see landlord (Annu Kapoor) who knocks and asks for rent which is unpaid. This makes Mannu think about her husband and the story she told him. There is some beauty when you have truly loved someone, you feel each other. Here both, Mannu and Neeru know that the other person is in some pain and at the same time don’t know how to share their grief or is it the right way. Movie goes ahead and ends in such heart breaking yet beautiful way, which only can be experienced on viewing this love story which has it’s heart at the right place and it’s soul shivers yet wants to be hugged.
Music in this movie is a treat for those who love classical and meaningful songs, that enhances the story line. It drops you between Mannu and Neeru, makes you part of their story. Music is composed by Debojyoti Mishra and special mention to Shubha Mudgalji for singing ‘Piya tohra kaisa abhiman’. Raincoat is based on O. Henry’s short story – ‘The Gift of the Magi.’ Some movies are entertainment, some are too artsy, Raincoat belongs to the third category, which is experiencing the moment. Do watch this one, as it’s a vacuum that will drag you in and will never leave you.
Disclaimer: The above review solely illustrates the views of the writer.