by Lenny Barretto
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Panaji, Aug 21: While children make up for the major population in India, neither Bollywood nor any regional film industry has done serious introspection in making films for these innocent and curious minds.
Though few films like Makdee, King Uncle and animated films like Hanumaan, have evoked good response from the children, the filmmakers see no money in these ventures.
But there are a few exceptions like Vishal Bharadwaj, who has tried his hands at making a film like Makdee which was shot partially in Goa, who dare to care for children. This time he has come up with a film "The Blue Umbrella" which has already won a national award within a month of its release.
The film story revolves around Biniya, a village girl from India’s Himachal Pradesh and her lucky blue umbrella.
The daughter of a local wrestler, she gets introduced to a Japanese tourist who gives her a lovely blue umbrella.
For the entire village, the umbrella becomes a reason to envy Biniya. But, as for her, the umbrella brings popularity and glory, without snatching away her innocence.
The entire episode disturbs the serenity and tranquility in the village. The umberella gives her an enviable control over the place and makes her very popular yet does not take away her innocence.
The story of this film is like a fairy tale picturized in the serene atmosphere of Himachal Pradesh. The beauty of this region and innocence of the character are well captured in the camera by cinematographer, Sachin K Krishn. The final product is an admirable children’s film.
Director Vishal Bhardwaj, maker of Maqbool and Omkara, has an ability to carve out a best film from a given story. But equally appreciable is ten-year-old Shreya Sharma from Shimla, who makes her acting debut with this film.
Veteran artiste Pankaj Kapoor as greedy old Nandu with a delightful accent, who likes to be the centre of attention in the village and is willing to risk almost anything for what catches his eye is excellent.
The film is shot in Dalhousie and Lonavla.
So, this time when you go to the movie, don’t miss out on this film. The movie is a great contribution to the the children’s films sector in India.
More on the movie:
Was earlier titled: Chatri Chor
Banner: UTV Motion Pictures
Genre: Family Drama
Producers: Vishal Bharadwaj, Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Vishal Bharadwaj
Star Cast:
Pankaj Kapoor...... Nandkishore Khatri
Shreya Sharma...... Biniya
Deepak Dobriyal...... The electronic fortune-teller
Manek Bedi...... Arjun (Biniya's brother)
Lyricist: Gulzar
Music Director: Vishal Bharadwaj
Cinematography: Sachin Kumar Krishnan
Art: Samir Chanda
Editor: Aarif Shaikh
Sound: Dara Singh
Story / Writer: Vishal Bharadwaj, Minty, Abhishek Chaubhey
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