Mumbai Meri Jaan (Movie Review)

It’s not meant only for someone from Mumbai. In fact, its relevance is also not restricted to someone from India. “Mumbai Meri Jaan” is a must watch for all those who like their cinema to be real and hard-hitting, who can sit through a two-and-half hour film without the song and dance routine and don’t mind the absence of superstars in the cast.

Director Nishikant Kamat’s debut Hindi film is of significance no matter what your nationality or country of residence. Yes, the movie does showcase the lives of five Mumbai residents, from diverse backgrounds representing the multi-dimensional Mumbai society. But the concerns and issues tackled are so universal that is doesn’t matter whether the film is set in Mumbai or Manhattan.

The characters are drawn from life around us. We can instantly recognise the TV news reporter Rupali (Soha Ali Khan) and her colleagues who cash in on personal tragedies to stay on top of the game. Then there is the unemployed, angry young man Suresh (Kay Kay Menon) who believes Muslims are behind all bombs; the about-to-retire policeman Tukaram Patil (Paresh Rawal) who has comfortably slipped into a life of apathy, though he is conscious of his dormant conscience; the patriotic and principled Nikhil (R. Madhavan) from the corporate world; and the coffee vendor Thomas (Irrfan Khan), predominantly a silent spectator representing the angst and struggles of those near the bottom of the social ladder.

Mumbai, the cosmopolitan heart of India, was rocked by seven serial blasts on July 11, 2006 which tore through its lifeline, the local train network. “Mumbai Meri Jaan” is a fictionalised version of what happens in the lives of these characters following this real life incident.

The first half, particularly, moves at a gripping pace and sucks you into the proceedings. The second half, which some may find a bit long, beautifully pieces together the lives, emotions and beliefs that were scattered in the aftermath of the blasts.

Barring the length, it’s difficult to identify the weak links in a movie like “Mumbai Meri Jaan” because almost everything about it works, be it the storytelling, the background score, cinematography or even the casting. The story, seamlessly incorporating diverse elements and themes, must have been a difficult one to write, but the intelligent screenplay and Kamat's brilliant direction makes it flow on screen with ease.

It makes no difference that there are no crowd-pullers in the cast. The film has such heavyweight actors that a star presence is never missed. Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan, Paresh Rawal, R. Madhavan … it’s not easy to single any one out as the best in the film as each shines in his own space. Having worked hard on his appearance to look the part, Paresh Rawal though may just inch ahead if one was to choose the best of the best. His retirement speech surely is among the best scenes of the movie.

Soha Ali Khan, who’s getting better with every film, also makes sure she’s not lost in the company of the powerful male cast and holds her own by delivering a touching performance.

Even the support actors make an impact, especially Vijay Maurya as the rookie cop Sunil Kadam.

Though the theme is primarily morbid, the film is extremely positive and non judgemental, and subtly makes its point. There are plenty of highly charged scenes that move you to tears or just shake you, but the triumph of the human spirit is simultaneously comforting.

Mumbai-based Nishikant Kamat earlier depicted his love for the city in “Dombivili Fast”, his debut film, which was in Marathi. The movie was a big hit on the festival circuit. “Mumbai Meri Jaan” is likely to garner a lot of critical acclaim too. However, without the necessary commercial ingredients, it may just not reach the masses, and that will be such a pity.

Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan, Paresh Rawal, R. Madhavan, Soha Ali Khan

Director: Nishikant Kamat

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala (UTV Motion Pictures)

Music: Sameer Sameer Phaterpekar