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Vishal Bharadwaj

Blue Umbrella – Movie Review
11th Aug 2007 19.02 IST
By Aparajita Ghosh

Making an engrossing children’s film is not a child’s job. Besides cinematic skill, it requires imagination to tell a story in a way that would appeal to a child.

Vishal Bharadwaj , the man who continues to surprise us with his incredible movies, has already proved his skill in doing so in his debut film ‘Makdee’. Now, he comes up with another enchanting movie Blue Umbrella , based on a Ruskin Bond novella of the same title.

Vishal doesn’t treat his audience like they were kids. That is why ‘Blue Umbrella’ is a film that will appeal to adults as well. A child’s mind usually thinks on the level of fantasy. And ‘Blue Umbrella’ has a well-balanced blend of fable and realism.

The story is set in a scenic, lush-green village somewhere in Himachal Pradesh. Biniya (Shreya Sharma), an eleven-year-old girl finds a beautiful, blue umbrella, and is enchanted by its form and beauty (apparently a Japanese design). The umbrella becomes Biniya’s priced possession and the object of envy for some people in the village. One among them is Nandkishore Khatri ( Pankaj Kapur ), who runs a small shop.

While Biniya goes on flaunting her blue umbrella to her friends and everyone in the tiny hamlet, Nandkishore has his plans to swindle the umbrella from her.

Things take a turn when the umbrella is stolen. Biniya suspects Nandkishore. But a search in Nandkishore’s shop produces no sign of the blue umbrella. So who is the thief?

‘Blue Umbrella’ is a simple story told in a beautiful, uncomplicated way. As the cinematographer’s camera captures the captivating beauty of the idyllic mountain village, the narrative moves at a relaxed pace. And the proceeding become engrossing after the umbrella goes missing. The story not just absorbs you it also tugs a few strings at your heart.

‘Blue Umbrella’ rests on the firm shoulders of Pankaj Kapur, one of the best acting talents in India. It is hard to catch Kapur acting. He actually becomes the character – the miserly and shrewd Nandkishore who speaks in a delightful rustic accent.

Child actor Shreya Sharma is terrific. It is clear that Vishal Bharadwaj lets herself be rather than making her play a character. That is why her performance looks natural, even though it doesn’t demand much histrionics.

The blue umbrella is the third protagonist in the film. Without doing anything, the umbrella signifies people’s envy, owner’s pride and a wily man’s greed.

Vishal Bharadwaj has made a charming film.

Eminently Watchable

Rating: ***

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Vishal Bharadwaj
Blue Umbrella
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