Review: 'Mod' shows only glimpses of Kukunoor’s mastery

Film: Mod
Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Cast: Ayesha Takia, Rannvijay Singh, Raghuvir Yadav and Tanvi Azmi
Rating: **

Nagesh Kukunoor, who has followed the 'simple story, simple treatment' formula in his films throughout his career, does so in Mod too. The film has a seemingly complex plot -- that of a girl falling in love with a man with a Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), but Kukunoor stays away from the temptation to go down the thriller route, or even make the film over dramatic. Instead, he lays out his cards right upfront -- you know the boy has the disorder early in the film -- and narrates his story in a typically staid manner.

 

The indie film genre, which has become a regular feature at the movies lately, was probably kickstarted by Nagesh Kukunoor much before the Kashyaps and Dibakers broke on to the scene. His 1998 film, Hyderabad Blues, made from money pooled in by friends, family, and Kukunoor's own saving was released at a budget of less than Rs20 lakh and did well enough to earn back the investment. After that, Kukunoor stuck to his brand of simple but effective cinema, giving us films as diverse as Rockford, Teen Deewarein, Dor etc. Lately, though, Kukunoor seemed to have lost some form.

 

In Mod, Kukunoor shows glimpses of the astute storyteller he can be, keeping you fairly engaged even with his no-frills storytelling technique. But somewhere the story (originating from the Taiwanese film, Keeping Watch) itself is found wanting. You are not entirely convinced when watchmaker Aranya (Takia) falls for the weird Andy (Rannvijay), who has been in love with her since they were in school. At age 15, when Andy had professed his feelings for her, she had asked him to come back 10 years later, which he does. That's slightly creepy, along with the fact that Andy spends nights sleeping outside Aranya's home and follows her around town. But Aranya finds it "cute".

 

Eventually, she finds out that Andy had died 10 years ago, and his best friend Abhay is the one she's fallen in love with, thinking he's Andy. Who is Abhay? Why is he behaving like Andy? Does Aranya love Andy, or Abhay? These are questions that you may want answers to, but chances are you will be left slightly confused at the end of the film.

 

Casting Rannvijay in a role that demand super histrionics is a huge drawback. The guy is committed and gives the film his all, but the story demanded an actor with a wider range. Takia delivers a beautiful performance as Aranya, believable to the core. Tanvi Azmi and Raguvir Yadav are delightful in supporting roles. Chirantan Das’ cinematography stays with you.

 

Mod doesn’t work in totality, but has its moments. What it does, really, is remind you of the fact that Kukunoor is a filmmaker you can't ignore. Shunning technical flamboyance, he continues to tell stories in the more conventional mould, some which work, some which don't. You can expect him to stun you in the future.