Manorama: Six Feet Under

Manorama Six Feet Under is akin to reading a novel. Viewers who are not fond of reading might judge the pace of the movie to be slow. It takes a while to build the atmosphere, characters gets established, suspense builds up and races ahead to a grand finale.

Screenplay and cinematography is commendable, you can almost feel the heat of the desert and sand on your face. A few places you can see the shades of Tarantino style of movie-making.

MSFU is the story of Satyaveer who stumbles upon a mystery and the (failed!) writer in him itches to seek the truth – redemption or quest?

Abhay Deol apparently is focusing on building his competency in the "new-age cinema" genre (there is too much competition in the mainstream anyway). As Satyaveer he puts on a convincing get-up coupled with a restrained performance.

Gul Panag uses the usual sarcastic house-wife lines to portrays a convincing character.

Vinay Pathak goes to shows that he is good at everything and not just comedy. Minor hitch here: why does he carry a strong accent while her sister doesn't? Convent studies maybe?

Raima Sen character staunchly believes "Men and coffee are good rich" and the tension which prevails between Abhay and Raima over the game of snake and ladders is truly amazing, especially the come-hither passes.

Sarika has a small but effective role. Its goes to show that acting is akin to ride a bicycle.

Khulbhushan Kharbanda is as usual dependable.

The two henchmen have portrayed their parts well (apologies for not knowing their names).

Finally I must add that gone are the days where Bollywood used to paint the perfect world. Its emotionally gratifying to see just like true-to-life, the movie also depicts shades of grey.

Manorama Six Feet Under is an intriguing, complex and offbeat thriller set in a sleepy small town of Rajasthan.

The movie is a promising debut by director Navdeep Singh. People who are used to the escapist Bollywood fare may find the movie too slow or confusing. The fact is that 'Manorama' leaves many threads of the story open-ended. Even as it pays homage to noir genre, the movie stays close to reality. And there is a strong sense of impending doom throughout the film's narrative.

The plot of 'Manorama Six Feet Under' takes a winding path instead of going linear. Beginning on a cogent note, the movie veers onto a somewhat tangled route, as the focus flits from one subplot to another.

Verbally sparse, intelligent, and visually striking, the movie holds your interest despite its languid pace.

And complementing the director's and cinematographer's commendable job are performances by the actors.

Abhay Deol's natural and underplayed portrayal of SV lends a lot of credibility to the character. More than acting, Abhay believes in spontaneous performance. And it comes through on the screen.

Gul Panag stands in equal stead, playing his bickering, nagging wife. Raima Sen , as the other woman in SV's life, is good. Vinay Pathak , playing a cop, doesn't have ample footage but he gets to mouth some well-written lines. Sarika has a very small role. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is impressive.

Inspired from Roman Polanski's movie 'Chinatown', 'Manorama Six Feet Under' is a film for those who like unconventional cinema. At times bizarre, at times fascinating, the movie is arguably the first of its kind in offbeat Hindi cinema.

Recommended for those who like offbeat films.

Manorama Six Feet Under is a neo-noir gem that stands out in the landscape of Indian cinema. Film directed by Navdeep Singh, which is an adaptation of Roman Polanski's classic film "Chinatown." Set against the backdrop of the dusty, desolate town of Rajasthan, the film offers an intricate narrative filled with intrigue, betrayal, and an exploration of human frailty.

The story revolves around Satyaveer (Abhay Deol), an unambitious and disillusioned irrigation officer who finds himself embroiled in a web of deceit when he is approached by a beautiful woman, Manorama (Gul Panag), the wife of a powerful politician. Manorama seeks his help to find evidence of her husband's infidelity. As Satyaveer delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of lies, corruption, and murder.

One of the film's strongest assets is its screenplay, which is sharp and layered. With a running time of around 120 minutes, the film deftly balances pacing and exposition, allowing viewers to slowly piece together the mystery alongside Satyaveer. The dialogues are well-crafted, often laced with dark humor and irony, which adds a unique flavor to the narrative.

The film's cinematography is exceptional. The dusty landscapes of Rajasthan are captured with a stark beauty that perfectly complements the film's noirish tone. The background score, with its haunting melodies, adds to the suspenseful atmosphere.

Abhay Deol delivers a remarkable performance as Satyaveer; he embodies the character's cynicism and vulnerability with ease, making him relatable and compelling. Gul Panag shines in her role as Manorama, bringing an enigmatic charm that engages the audience. The supporting cast, including the likes of Raima Sen and Vinay Pathak, adds depth to the film, each character contributing intricately to the unfolding mystery.

One of the film's strengths is its deliberate pacing. It's a film that requires patience, as it slowly unravels its complex plot. While this may not appeal to everyone, it contributes to the overall atmosphere of suspense and intrigue.

The film's ending is open to interpretation, leaving viewers to ponder the true nature of the characters and their motivations. This ambiguity adds depth to the narrative and encourages repeated viewings.

In the End, Manorama Six Feet Under is a film that rewards patient viewers. Its compelling story, strong performances, and atmospheric visuals make it a standout in Indian cinema. It's a film that lingers in your mind long after the fiml end's.

Before watching Manorama, i considered Johnny Gaddar as best scripted suspense movie of modern times, but Manorama is far above from Johnny. The best thing is that the storyline looks real and on the level of a common person. It is not like a typical Hindi Cinema (bollywood) suspense movie with the protagonist playing a hero. I gave 9 because i felt detached in middle of the movie but approaching to the end, it captures attention and the climax is well written. I'll curse myself for not watching it for so long even after i heard its praise from my friends. Abhay Deol looks good as a Middle class Rajasthani and so as Gul Panag. Vinay Pathak is exceptional as usual.

This movie is a great piece of work though it is not meant for the masses. This movie has plot twists after plot twists and mystery after mystery, I generally am able to predict the direction of a movie quite early in the film, but this one was a major exception. The star of the movie is definitely Abhay Deol (this guy is definitely going to go places in the long run) with his authentic Rajasthani portrayal of the character -- S.V. The rest of the cast has done an exceptional job and full points to all the people involved in the making of this film. I would like to congratulate Navdeep Singh for making such a beautiful movie with a strong and authentic Indian essence. I would definitely recommend this movie if you are a mystery films buff.