- Film : Lootera
- Producer : Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl
- Director : Vikramaditya Motwane
- Star Cast : Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha, Barun Chanda, Adil Hussain..
- Music Director : Amit Trivedi
3.5
After making a splash with his debut outing - the critically extolled "Udaan" in 2010 - the maverick film-maker, Vikramaditya Motwane is back with a heart-wrenching epic love story, “Lootera”. As corny as the name might sound, the film is a far, far-cry from all the run-of-the-mill romances that Bollywood is so used to.
Replete with adventure, drama, fantasy, passion, emotion, romance and more, Motwane proves with his second 'masterpiece' that the director has what it takes to be 'different'. Delicately crafted and thoughtfully made, this poignant tale of volatile love, honor, deceit and doomed passion takes you on an unforgettable emotional odyssey that calls for a standing ovation, if nothing else.
Alleged as the celluloid adaptation of O. Henry's captivating short story - "The Last Leaf", "Lootera" isn't quite a book-to-film adaptation. Motwane has made significant modifications in the script to make a film that is at once fascinating and dismaying.
Other Ratings
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Deccan
Not Yet Rated -
The Times of India
4 Lootera is a love saga... -
BharatStudent
Not Yet Rated -
Rediff
4.5 It is a mature film...
Story :
Set in antiquity, the period drama unfolds itself in an unhurried pace in a small hamlet of Manikpur in West Bengal. The story unfurls during the time of great Bengal upheaval (1953-1954), when zamindari system was on the verge of being abolished.
Pakhi's (Sonakshi Sinha) father is the zamindar of Manikpur's (Barun Chanda), who loves his daughter dearly.
Varun (Ranveer Singh), is a charming street-smart, who, under the facade of an archaeologist, rides into the village on the pretext of excavating an ancient civilization buried inside the zamindar's temple. He shoves into their house as Pakhi's art teacher and quickly earns the aging aristocrat’s confidence. Not only that, the suave hustler manages to sweep Pakhi off her feet as well.
As one thing leads to another, Varun and Pakhi find themselves caught in a whirlwind of scorching love affair, but soon Varun shows a change of heart and leaves. On learning about his sudden exit, Pakhi's father suffers a massive stroke and dies. Shattered, Pakhi decides to get over her loss and start fresh. She relocates to Dalhousie, but as luck would have it, she bumps into Varun again. And from their on, begins a series of tumultuous outbursts of emotion.
Analysis :
"Lootera" reverberates with passion and emotion. The way Motwane lays open the highs and lows of the stormy love affair is laudworthy. The film looks like a postcard - everything from the visuals to the apparel, the havelis and vintage cars, the milieu and the palette have an old-world charm about it and does a beautiful job of transporting the audience to the yore.
Motwane garnishes his film with dreamy, romantic and acidic lines that adds to the poignancy of the drama.
The review would be incomplete without mentioning Amit Trivedi's music that is delightful to the soul. The music, just like the movie, has unhurried pace about it. The soundtrack takes you back to the 50's and stays with you long after you have left the movie theater.
Performance :
Sonakshi Sinha magnificently pulls off the role of the doe-eyed, graceful Pakhi with nonchalant ease. From being a feisty, pampered daughter to playing the role of a hardhearted woman in love, Sonakshi floors with her top notch performance. Her discernible vulnerability is infectious. She brings out the nuances of her character without ever straying from the pitch.
Ranveer Singh is a revelation here. He not only looks as good as a pinup, but does a brilliant act too, that leaves a deep impact. His chemistry with Sonakshi is mind-blowing. Even though there are several disconcerting shades to his character, he does a fine job of making the character look gray and believable, at the same time earnest.
Even the supporting characters ballasts the movie with supreme performances. Divya Dutta is first-rate in a cameo, and so is Vikrant Massey. Shirin Guha does complete justice to her role. Arif Zakaria is mind-blowing. Not to leave out Adil Hussain and Barun Chanda who add to the movie with their brilliant theatrics.
Final Word:Motwane's direction is so confident, his narration so dauntless that it hardly feels like his second venture. The film is free of any false-notes. An inherently passionate and exhilarating movie that will be etched in your heart for days to come. A must-watch for all the romantics!
Lootera Releases on 5th July 2013
We are eager to know your experience of watching Lootera.
(AW:Suchorita Dutta)
