
Title: Chandni Bar (Hindi film) Starring: Tabu, Atul Kulkarni Direction: Madhur Bhandarkar Music: Raju Singh Reviewer: Roopa Sarah Thomas
After Dil Chahta
Hai, Lagaan and Gadar, an Indian filmmaker has done it again. This
time, it is Madhur Bhandarkar with his small budget film Chandni Bar.
This realistic film revolves around Mumtaz, whose life changes after the death
of her parents in a fire accident. Her seemingly sympathetic Mamu (uncle)
takes her to town, eventually leading her to Chandni Bar, where she begins
life as a beer bar dancer.
Despite being uncomfortable with her new job, she agrees after her mamu
assures her that she can leave as soon as he finds a job. He doesn't keep
his promise and Mumtaz has no other alternative. Shy and uncomfortable, Mumtaz
get through her first night by simply standing on stage amidst the other dancers.
Anna, the bar owner, isn't very happy and one of the other dancers decides
to train Mumtaz. Mumtaz is then given tips on how to approach men who seem
rich. "Look at them in the eye. Turn around once and tie your duppata
properly," she is told. The next night is better, but Mumtaz is still a little
unsure. But eventually she gets the hang of it and becomes part of the glitter
in Chandni Bar. Her time in the dressing room with the other dancers gains
her friends and enemies.
Life takes another shocking turn when mamu rapes Mumtaz. Bhandarkar
metaphorically uses a scene where the cow is being led on by a butcher before
the rape scene. Now Mumtaz can only turn to her friends for emotional support.
Unable to leave her mamu, she begins looking forward to the nights
in Chandni Bar, where she is in a way, much safer.
But every cloud has a silver lining. And Mumtaz meets Potiya. A regular at
Chandini Bar, this upcoming don takes a fancy towards Mumtaz. In simple terms
he asks her if she will sleep with him. She refuses, but is forced into it
by her uncle. Potiya can't however understand why Mumtaz is so uninvolved
and cold. She ends up confiding in him and he kills mamu in a fit of
anger, after promising to marry her.
Mumtaz is finally out of Chandni Bar, with a husband who loves her. She has
two children for whom she has dreams. Her son will study and become a "bada
aadmi," she decides and her daughter will never find herself in Chandni
Bar. But unfortunately, Potiya gets killed in a staged encounter and Mumtaz
is back working in Chandni Bar to fend for her children. But she also makes
sure her children are as far away as possible from the underworld and Chandni
Bar. But fate had other plans yet again. Her son gets jailed for no fault
of his own. But because of his father's past, no one is willing to believe
that he is innocent. In the juvenile home, two other boys sexually molest
him.
Meanwhile Mumtaz busies herself with old customers, so that she came make
enough money to bribe officials into letting her son out. Wanting to help,
her daughter walks into Chandni Bar as well. And with the money, the son is
released. By now, you are hoping everything goes well, till the boy murders
those who molested him in prison.
The film is a bleak representation of lives led by the bar dancers. Despite
wanting to get out, there seems to be little hope for those like Mumtaz because
of the situations and people that they come across. Society isn't willing
to give them a chance either. The film hits you rather hard and when you leave
the theatre, you feel as helpless as Mumtaz, who knows that there is no escape.
Tabu as Mumtaz is brilliant as usual. The film is hers and those supporting
her character have all come up with brilliant performances. Bhandarkar has
done a great job where small details are concerned. Unlike usual Hindi films,
this one doesn't have songs. However, the background score plays a very important
role. The songs in the bar change with the times. So also the pictures of
heros and heroines in the makeup room.
Unlike other Hindi films, the characters are complete. They all find themselves
in pathetic situations, but not all are black all the time. Potiya is portrayed
as a short-tempered, but kindhearted man. And when the son is born, there
are references to how similar he is to the father. And the son proves to be
Potiya's son indeed when he kills the two who molested him. As traumatic as
the event was, only Potiya's son would have gone ahead and killed those responsible.
Even in Chandni Bar, the dancers have their moments of fun. Mumtaz has her
set of friends to help her till the end.
If you go expecting to be entertained, this is not the movie for you. A must-see
for those who appreciate real cinema, despite the fact that you come out feeling
depressed and uneasy. And thank God, once again, for the lives you have, for
there are many Mumtazs out there.
