Review of Chandni Bar

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.