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The Illegal (film on Amazon Prime); Cast: Suraj Sharma, Shweta Tripathi, Adil Hussain, Neelima Azim, Iqbal Theba, Hannah Masi, Jay Ali; Direction: Danish Renzu; Rating: * * * and 1/2 (three and a half stars)

By Vinayak Chakravorty

You'd think you have seen this before. A young boy from middle-class India lands in the United States chasing a dream, and his struggle for sustenance becomes portrait of the grind that almost every immigrant must endure.

If Danish Renzu's film is outstanding despite the note of familiarity, it is because of the sheer authenticity with which the writer-director tells his tale. The film is unflinching in tone, yet sensitive enough while dissecting the reality it presents. Renzu uses his crisp runtime of 86 minutes well, to set up nuanced storytelling.

Unlike most films pertaining to the subject, "The Illegal" is not about immigrants who enter the US unlawfully. It is about people who come in with legitimate papers,...

The Illegal movie review is here. The 2019 Indian American English-language drama film is written and directed by Danish Renzu. Produced by Tara Tucker, and Danish Renzu, The Illegal stars Suraj Sharma, Iqbal Theba and Shweta Tripathi in the lead roles. The Illegal is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

The Illegal movie review

Of people, places, dreams, reality and spaces, Danish Renzu’s 'The Illegal' deals with these vicious cycles of an American dream of an Indian with heart and leaves behind some fodder for thought.

Running on the familiar plot line of an Indian immigrant struggling to pursue the great American dream – somewhat similar in theme with Mira Nair’s 2006 'Namesake' starring Irrfan Khan and Tabu.

Danish Renzu’s 'The Illegal' works because it’s weaved with a heart that bleeds with earnestness, need and melancholy.

It must be understood that the immigrant in 'The Illegal'...

Filmmaker Danish Renzu has not forgotten about his home in Kashmir or, for that matter, its people. The 35-year-old filmmaker talks of his "conscious" decision to involve local Kashmiris in all future projects.

"There is a sense of responsibility when I say this. I want films as an industry to flourish in Kashmir. In my last film, almost everyone, from writers to light-man, to camerapersons, were all Kashmiris. I am going to make sure that I continue this practice in future," says Renzu.

"I have never really forgotten about home and I always carry it in my heart, wherever I go," added Renzu, who spent time in Los Angeles studying engineering at UCLA for a while.

His assertion finds resonance in his new film, "The Illegal", which has dropped digitally. The film starring Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussain, Shweta Tripathi and Neelima Azim deals with the theme of migration.

"There were...

Amazon Prime Video is all set to bring a critically acclaimed title - The Illegal, in India. Written and Directed by Danish Renzu,, the film brings to fore the downside of the Great American Dream, that many chase. Through its gripping narrative, the film mirrors the harsh realities of the young migrants who journey to America in search of a better life, but end up struggling to make the ends meet. The struggles and triumphs of the migrant is aptly projected by the BAFTA-nominated actor Suraj Sharma, who takes this narrative forward effortlessly, in the film. He is joined by Hannah Masi, Shweta Tripathi, Iqbal Theba, Jay Ali, Adil Hussain, Danny Vasquez and Neelima Azim, who play pivotal roles in the film.

'The Illegal' is about this student from India who is accepted to a prestigious university, he leaves his home, country, and family behind to pursue the American Dream.