Too much Dilli-dallying in Delhi 6

The first 15 minutes of Delhi 6 made my head spin.

The jerky, low, handheld camera movements, frenetic editing and visual patchwork made me feel like I’d just gotten off an out of control merry-go-round. But when Binod Pradhan’s camera settles over a sweeping shot of prayers at the Jama Masjid and you enter the multi-cultural world of Chandni Chowk, you realise why the director has subjected you to this dizzying experience.

As NRI Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) brings his grandmother (Waheeda Rahman) to their ancestral home in Delhi (where she wants to die) he meets the motley world of Delhi-6 neighbours and residents. Roshan is confronted by realities of casteism, class, family feuds, caged birds and daughters, unfulfilled dreams and the kaala bandar.

Mehra has to race through the set up of the bustling world of colourful characters before he gets to the point, which is valid and worthy, but devalued by screenplay and execution. The primary tracks are that of identity and humanity, blind faith and easy absolution of responsibility at the alter of any deity or unknown being.

As Roshan gains a sense of belonging in this new world, the media is shown tracking the story of a terrorising ‘monkey man’, an invisible criminal monkey seen by many! When the otherwise harmonious community is torn apart by crime and manipulation, Roshan becomes a catalyst, holding a mirror to society (literally) swept away by rumours, victims of blind faith, tricked by opportunists trading on communalism.

Though Bachchan plays the part with understated comfort, graciously taking on the role of a narrator and accelerator, he’s hampered by a poorly etched character whose only connect to America is his accent and cell phone.

The love story with the lovely Bittu, constantly compared to the fettered dove Masakalli, whose only ambition appears to be competing in Indian Idol, is a force fit - like a box that needs to be ticked on the plot lines checklist.

Sonam Kapoor is enchanting and endearing, and I hope her next film gives her a role she can sink her teeth into. The supporting cast of Waheeda Rahman, Rishi Kapoor, Om Puri, Supriya Pathak, Pawan Malhotra, Atul Kulkarni, Divya Dutta, Deepak Dobriyal and Vijay Raaz breath life into the characters and their representative situations. Look out for Aditi Rao as the aunt Rama — she’s quite a find.

There are some poignant moments, flashes of visual delight and Rahman’s music of course. The climax is confounding, negating the preceding humour, satire and social comment.

It especially baffles you when Amitabh Bachchan appears in an all-white heaven reminiscing with his grandson, making you forget the earlier scenes that brought
tears to your eyes. Though Mehra’s messages are pertinent, his treatment and metaphors are too literal.

Perhaps after the debate following Rang De Basanti, he erred on the side of caution. Nonetheless Delhi 6 is a respectable addition to his resume.