DASVIDANIYA MOVIE REVIEW
Years ago, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's ANAND narrated an interesting tale of a man living his life to the fullest, despite being well aware of his impending death. DASVIDANIYA, directed by debutante Shashant Shah, narrates a similar tale. Here, the protagonist, well aware that the clock is ticking, intends realising his 'Top 10 things to do before I die' list.
Bears an uncanny resemblance to THE BUCKET LIST [2007; Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman]? Slightly perhaps, but that could be coincidental. What makes DASVIDANIYA watchable for the Indian viewer is the fact that it portrays the emotions of a common man really well. You identify with the person and the pain he goes through.
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Sensitively treated with a bravura act by Vinay Pathak, DASVIDANIYA makes you smile at several points, even shed tears [the emotional quotient is quite strong], but most importantly, reiterates the fact that life's a bubble that can burst any time.
However, there's a flip side as well. For, the film has an erratic pace and not all chapters are as interesting. That dilutes the impact to an extent!
Shy and quiet Amar [Vinay Pathak] lives a mundane, run-of-the-mill life. His existence is non-existent to people around him. His innocence and obsession for making his daily 'To-Do-List' every morning is what motivates him to look forward to the next day.
Then, one day, a doctor tells him that he will die within three months. He is diagnosed with cancer. Thus begins a journey of a lifetime for Amar, where he sets out to write his final list. The 10 things to do before he dies.
DASVIDANIYA
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Dasvidaniya is bittersweet situational comedy about a man Amar Kaul (Vinay Pathak), whose existence is easily forgotten among the millions of people in the pool of Mumbai's ever-increasing population. Shy and quiet Amar lived a mundane run of the mill life. His existence was non-existent to people around him. His innocence and his obsession for making his daily TO-DO LIST every morning is what motivates him to look forward to the next day.
Then one day a doctor told him that, he will die within 3 months. And then begins a journey of a lifetime for Amar, where he sets out to write his FINAL LIST. The List of 10 things to do before he dies, the List that would make his life worthy, before it actually ends. As the countdown begins, does Amar Kaul succeed in fulfilling the final tasks to do on his wish list ... and in the course of doing them, realized than he has been dead all along until now.
Amar is symbolic of all those people who have always wanted to do things but kept them on hold.
Banner
Lemon Tea Productions
One More Thought Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Status
Released
Release Date
November 14, 2008
Language
Hindi
Producer
Vinay Pathak
Azam Khan
Executive Producer / Co-Producer
Guneer Monga
Director
Shashant Shah
A simple plot is treated with a lot of sensitivity by debutante director Shashant Shah. Watch Vinay finally mustering up courage and confronting his boss [Saurabh Shukla]. It brings a smile on your face. Watch Vinay express his love for Neha on a rainy night. The silence speaks a million words. Watch Vinay go through a traumatic time when he overhears the conversation between Rajat Kapoor and his wife Suchitra Pillai. And, finally, when he meets his brother Gaurav Gera.
If the story strikes a chord, Shashant's execution of the material is incredible at times. But writer Arshad Syed's script could've been tighter. It has some great moments, but a few portions [the story of the Russian girl and also the guitar teacher] aren't convincing. However, the dialogues are wonderful. They sound so fresh. Music is functional, although 'Mumma' is soothing.
Vinay Pathak carries the film on his able shoulders and delivers a matchless performance. At par with his amazing work in BHEJA FRY. The film has a number of characters that stand out: Saurabh Shukla [excellent], Rajat Kapoor [good], Ranvir Shorey [quite funny], Neha Dhupia [perfect], Sarita Joshi [proficient] and Gaurav Gera [nice].
On the whole, DASVIDANIYA is engrossing in parts. While the first hour works well, it's the second part that turns pale due to its slow pacing and a not-as-tight screenplay. Sure, the film has the merits, but it will have to rely on a strong word of mouth to stay afloat
