As Hollywood tries to ape Bollywood’s success stories, some leading lights of the Indian film industry are now making movies that are aimed just as much for a western audience as their home crowd. If it wasn’t for the setting and the language, you could actually mistakenly think you were watching an American indie production when you view ‘Mumbai Diaries’.
It follows the lives of four different people that cross over each other as the story develops. Shai is taking a break from her high-powered banking job in NY to come back home for a sabbatical and also indulge in her passion for photography. She meets Arun, a handsome but very aloof artist at his Gallery Opening, and after spending the night with him she immediately gets the cold shoulder treatment. They both unwittingly share the same (very hot-looking) laundry man (dhobi) Munna and when he delivers clothes back to Shai, a friendship starts up between the two of them despite their obvious class (caste?) difference. She would like a guide to show her the underbelly of the city, but he on the hand would like her to be his girlfriend.
Arun meanwhile moves to a new apartment in the old part of the city and when he is tidying up discovers 3 video tapes that were made by a former tenant Yasmin who was very unhappy with her life …something that the miserable Arun can relate too … and he becomes obsessed with her.
The film follows how all the intertwining relationships pan out in this gentle intriguing drama, which seemed tinged with more than it’s share of sadness. Using the city as a backdrop really enhanced the picture and gave it both color and vitality and an added depth.
Arun was played by Aamir Khan who is a mega Bollywood Star … and his wife Kiran Dao directed …. but Munna is played by a total newcomer, Prateik and his performance was equally as strong. There is still a cultural difference in acting styles that can make some characters seem a tad stilted, but I’m convinced that is because of our western perception and the relative newness of movies like this. I think they will grow on us, just like this whole new genre will in time.
P.S. I loved the the fact that despite the film’s title, all the locals still insist on referring to their city as Bombay.
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