Govind Nihalani’s 1990 film Drishti (Rudraa Home Video; DVD Rs 299) brings forth a very real situation in the life of a married couple, especially that of the urban, professionally successful couples. Ahead of its multiplex time, really! Dimple Kapadia and Shekhar Kapur, middleclass, have acquired success by virtue of merit and hard work. They are happily married... apparently. But a piece of them craves for more. Dimple unwittingly gets attracted to a classical singer, Irrfan, who comes home to teach her, and an extramarital affair which lasts for a very short time. A year later, Shekhar files for divorce having found his love elsewhere. Though unwilling to let go Dimple he has no option. When the secret of Dimple’s affair is revealed to Shekhar years later he’s feels deceived. He had been honest, but she had not. For Dimple, it was just a question of saving her marriage. Individual perception of honesty and morality can’t be judged — Drishti brings up an issue that’s universal. The story and screenplay is by Shashi Deshpande and music by Kishori Amonkar.

 

This National Award winning film from Govind Nihalani again, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (Rudraa Home Video; DVD Rs 299), is taken from a novel by Mahasweta Devi. It goes back to Calcutta during the year 1970-72, a time when Calcutta was swept by the the Naxalite movement. It traces the life of a mother, Jaya Bachchan, who suddenly receives the shattering news that her son has been killed, his identity reduced to a number recorded in the police morgue — the number 1084. How the mother attempts to rediscover his son, understand his philosophy and slowly finds herself furthering the cause for which her son died forms the crux of the film. It shows a mother inching closer to her son only after his death. The cast includes Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas and Milind Gunaji. This is also the debut film of Nandita Das and Joy Sengupta. The DVD has the bonus feature of letting you experience how Nihalani involves himself in the making of the film.

 

Not more than a week out of the movie halls, Ahista Ahista (Shemaroo; DVD Rs 349, VCD Rs 149) is here for private viewing! Directed by Shivam Nair it’s a sweet love story. About a boy, Abhay Deol, who leads an aimless life and has a unique job as the one who signs as the witness for any marrying couple that doesn’t have a family participating in their marriage. Soha Ali Khan is one such girl who’s run away from Nainital to marry her boyfriend Shayan Munshi in Delhi. But Shayan doesn’t turn up, and new in a city she has to depend on the charity of Abhay. And he slowly falls in love with her. But as every love story has a twist, Shayan makes a comeback. A perfect love story with all its dilemmas and intricacies. Himesh Reshammiya gives some soft music here.