After the controversial 'Fire', Deepa Mehta is back
with her second movie from her trilogy. This movie is
based on Bapsi Sidhwa's novel, "Cracking India". An
autobiographical book about the trials and tribulations which she experienced during the
partition.
Aamir Khan plays the popular role of 'Ice candy man', a
lovable rogue who cannot be trusted. The handsome Rahul Khanna debuts in this movie as the
malish wallah who treats the polio stricken girl, Lenny, and Nandita Das plays her
nanny.
The story revolves around these three characters, their
relationships and how they react to the partition. Sikhs and Muslims gather around Nandita
Das trying to woo her and only there they are seen sitting together and making
conversation. In another scene, Lenny rips out the stuffing of her doll and Nandita
desperately tries to stitch it up with safety pins. The strong metaphor alludes to the
butchering which took place just because the man was from a different religion.
The beauty of the movie is that it does not rationalize
or try to explain the partition, it does not distribute blame nor does it pass judgement
on this horrific event. It presents the partition for what it was, a bloody event. Great
performances by all the actors elevates the level of the drama giving it a human aspect. A
movie not to be missed.
