Photograph

Ritesh Batra('Lunchbox') has done it again. This movie is about the budding romantic relationship between characters of two completely different backgrounds and the director is successful in capturing the nervousness, the newness and the hesitance of a growing relationship. The film has little dialogue, similar to real life situations like these, and focuses on capturing gestures. Nawazuddin has encapsulated the essence of a common man in a plain, subtle way like he always wanted to on-screen, and Sanya, is absolutely amazing in her calm, composed and measured performance of Miloni. Farrukh Jaffer as Dadi really binds the whole movie, and gives us the light-hearted laughs that any romantic story should have. Not to give anything away, a lot of moments are open to interpretation, including the ending which gives a feeling that you are listening to a love story, and you will be able to relate with most of these moments. It captures the essence of Mumbai, which is always refreshing, and reflects on the cringe of class and color which is kind of inherent in our society. Go watch it, probably with your mom, she'll love it.

After being impressed by Ritesh Batra's Lunchbox and his style of cinema, I knew that this man is going to have something unique in his every movie. The movie stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra and Farrukh Jaffar in major roles. I don't think that the casting could have been better. One thing about the cast though -I personally found Jim Sarbh's role a little insignificant for an acclaimed actor like him. Regarding characters, Nawaz was not disappointing with his acting and did what he always does, an above average justice to his character. I consider Miloni's (Sanya Malhotra) character to be the best written amongst all and also well executed by her. The one actor who took her character on another level only with her acting was Farrukh Jaffar. It was a treat to watch her. Until her, I could never believe someone acting beside Nawaz subjugating him. If there has to be a single reason to watch this movie, it is her acting and her comic timing and dialogue delivery. The story doesn't droop on a classic romance, instead shows a story between a struggling road-side photographer and a CA student from an upper-middle class Gujarati family, two completely different worlds. The story shows how sometimes people can want only so much from life and yet that can be completely different for different people. Ritesh Batra is known for developing characters that are relatable to a mass somehow, and this time too, he created such character, Miloni. She is a soft-spoken, a yes-girl who has no opinions of her own, who is pulled from her dream of becoming an actor and peer pressured into doing CA. A lot out there, right? I also liked how smartly Batra ended the movie. Ben Kutchins did a great job with his cinematography showing beautifully the slums and the fast-running city together. Some stills from the movie were really outstanding. In all, this movie is not a Masala Romantic, but is appealing in its own way. There can be only two reasons to not have liked this movie. One, somehow the detailings to the characters were incomplete and second, the movie was bit slow at a few places. Had it not been compensated by exquisite acting, the movie wouldn't have turned out to be the way it did. Otherwise, I would recommend this movie to every cinema lover who understands Batra's poetic and eccentric film-making skill.

Rafiq (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a struggling street photographer at Mumbai's Gateway of India, convinces a reclusive youngster Miloni (Sanya Malhotra) to pose for a picture. Their chance encounter leads to self-discovery and a fascinating tale of slow-burn romance.

The pacing is frustrating and needs a lot of patience but Batra's unique take on love, with shades of Basu Chatterjee's Chhoti Si Baat..

What does stand out is the brilliance of Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He is the master of his craft and conveys unsaid emotions effortlessly. Sanya underplays a bit too much but gradually holds her own in front of an actor like Nawaz.

If you seek purpose or motivation behind someone's certain behaviour, you won't find it here so Photograph eventually struggles to keep you engaged,,However, if you appreciate ambiguity, the film leaves a lot to imagination and interpretation, which has its own charm. The open-ended climax in particular is cleverly done. It makes you ponder and crave for more.

Photograph isn't a perfect shot but it's intriguing and takes you back in time. Like love and life, it's uncertain and hopeful.

PHOTOGRAPH REVIEW :-



The Lunchbox was a Gem, by the Director called Ritesh Batra and this tagline was enough to create humongous expectations from Photograph. Additionally cast names like Nawazuddin Siddiqui & Sanya Malhotra and Brilliant Trailer upraised the bar. But in a Film it misses something at the end, even if lives upto to the expectations throughout the narrative. However, Photograph is the Confirmation that Director Ritesh Batra is a Genius and he will never come up with mainstream product.

Photograph is a deep meaning tale which begins with the Photograph and then Flows like a stable River. In between many situational laughters, realistic humour and unusual screenplay keeps this one engaged. Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra are totally amazing as lead pair. Their Expression, thier accent, thier decency is surely gonna fetch them many accolades. Cinematography is pure realistic and smartly done job which can be noticed through angles, zoom ins and blur moments. Director Ritesh Batra brings another offbeat and Loveable film but he fails to bring the same convinction in the climax. But the good news is, he never loses the Quality, he keeps it intact for 110 minutes.

Deep meaning films are hard to digest for massy audience and some classy audience too doesn't really reach to the core. Photograph could be one of those film where the Final Impact is not that powerful. Little bit more detailing in the Cliamx and Photograph would have been a Classic. Unfortunately it misses the Big mark by short distance, still doesn't fail to give you experience of watching something unusual stuff. Overall, Photograph is another Deep and Genius film by Ritesh Batra, only 1 mistake doesn't make it bad or Average, it is still a Very Good Film by far.

RATING- 7/10*

My Rating : 7/10

Nawaz is a favourite and any movie/TV show he's in I am sure to watch it. 'Photograph' is a much more delicate, sensitive and simple story of two strangers brought together by coincidence.

Is a damn good slow-burn, those wanting traditional naach-gaana may get bored but otherwise a good effort from the director of 'The Lunchbox'.