A society is torn apart by political, religious, and sexual turmoil.
This bold film is a stunning blend of art, beauty, love, horrific violence and intolerance. Two stories are told in this film that represent the hot buttons of today’s political issues: fundamental violent Muslims and LGBT rights. Among gay pride demonstrations and rogue Muslims planting bombs in the National Library we have two stories that tell “the other side.”
In New Dehli we see the strong-willed Sakhi (Bhavani Lee) confronted by the police as she is an activist for gay rights in India. She is very comfortable with her own sexuality unlike Leela (Preeti Gupta), an oppressed lesbian that lives under the rules of her loving, yet traditional father, Devraj (Adil Hussain). Leela struggles with the upcoming arranged marriage and it takes every bit of her being to free herself from the father she loves and run away to her true love, Sakhi. To put it mildly, Sakhi is not thrilled to see her former lover as she is now lovers with a man. A perilous encounter ensues and the ladies find themselves once again, lovers. But will this culture embrace their relationship?
On the other side of the world we witness a brutal terrorist, Husain (Bhanu Uday), conditioned through his upbringing to commit the most heinous of acts in the name of Allah. He is the chosen one. The one commissioned to kidnap the peaceful teacher and author, Fareed (Victor Banerjee), and coerce him to recant his faith on the grounds that Muslims do not spout Ghandi-like rhetoric but that Muslims fight with terroristic tactics. It costs Fareed quite a bit to adhere to his nonviolent ways. Will he give in to the brutality of Husain who must face his own capacity to be so inhuman?
The end does not bode well for any of them. Amidst a gay pride rally in India we see the most heinous of intolerable acts toward Sakhi and Leela. In New York we see pedestrians posing with the Wall Street bull and witness the horrific demise of both Husain and Fareed. Two stories of intolerance so deeply rooted in the culture that the outcomes scream of the lack of freedom these individuals hold.
The character development in this film is strong and I had emotions toward all of them. Husain was created by his experiences growing up, as we witness through flashbacks. I saw the pain in his conflicted yet determined demeanor. I felt how Leela was strongly torn between family and love, and I sensed Sakhi’s fortitude for justice. Fareed was so incredibly honorable in his convictions that I wanted to shout for him to succumb to Husain’s demands.
This film was excellent yet there were some mishaps with the plot line. Not sure where the friend of Leela’s fit in. She was seen in the doctor’s office briefly for a sonogram revealing a baby. Next she is tossing anything regarding India from her suitcase and we can assume she is through with the culture. There was a point after a bloody encounter where Leela and Sakhi are seen rowing to shore to become lovers once again. I questioned how this blood bath was resolved so quickly and that they were able to move on with their love-life.
At times this was a difficult film to watch but I believe a much needed one. Intolerance is everywhere and sometimes we need to be reminded of the other side and what their freedoms should be. An overall important film.
In select theaters and VOD May 29th
