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M: Mr. and Mrs. Iyer #AToZChallenge


Movie Name: Mr. And Mrs. Iyer
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Cast: Rahul Bose, Konkona Sen Sharma
Director: Aparna Sen
Year Of Release: 2002

What it is about:


Meenakshi Iyer and her infant son, Santhanam, embark on a bus journey to return home, after visiting her parents. At the bus station, Meenakshi is introduced to Raja Chowdhury by a common friend. Raja, a wildlife photographer, is requested by Meenakshi's parents to look after their daughter and grandson during the journey. He agrees. After a short while, the bus is stopped by a traffic jam caused by sectarian violence between Hindus and Muslims in nearby areas. The patrolling police visit and declare a curfew due to the riot. Soon, Raja reveals his true identity to Meenakshi that he's actually Jehangir Chowdhury, a Muslim. As a conservative Hindu Brahmin, Meenakshi shudders at the very fact that during their travel she drank water offered by Raja. She curses herself for having to take his help.

After an aged Muslim couple from the bus are slaughtered by a Hindu mob, the passengers spend the night in the bus in fear. Meenakshi saves Raja by planting Santanam in his lap and declaring to the mob that he's her husband, Mr. Iyer and the child, their son. In the morning, the passengers trek to a nearby village to seek accommodation. With the help of a patrol cop, Meenakshi and Raja are provided with the single usable bedroom available in a bungalow. Meenakshi refuses to share the room with Raja and he decides to sleep outside. During their stay at the bungalow, they discover each other's beliefs and understanding of religion. That night, as they witness a horrific murder by one of the mobs, a shocked Meenakshi is comforted by Raja and just like that, in an instant, their religious differences are forgotten. But, what next?

Will Raja be able to stay undercover? Will Meenakshi get back to her husband safely? What about the now nameless relationship between Raja and Meenakshi?

What I loved about it:

The simplicity of the movie is top-notch! Rahul Bose and Konkona Sen Sharma have their career best roles in this movie. Having a Bengali play a true blood Hindu Brahmin is quite something and Konkona manages to do this effortlessly. She is brilliant as Meenakshi and plays the role of a young mother handling an infant perfectly. Rahul Bose supports her in every frame. I love him as an actor. No one can underplay a role as well as he does. The way he calms down a hysteric Meenakshi and slowly forms a bond with her and her son is heart-warming. As a fake couple caught between riots, they do everything to save and support each other.


There sure is a hint of romance between them and that unsaid love turns out to be the USP of the movie in the end. The silence during their final train journey together speaks the loudest. You want them to be together and yet do not want them to break a family. The final look that they share breaks your heart, but you wouldn't want the movie to end any other way. Because as a viewer, there only will be one Mr. Iyer for us.

Runners-up: Misery (English), Mystic River (English), Milk (English).

This post is a part of the A To Z Challenge for April, where my theme for this year is Movies I Love.

Comments

  1. Ohhhhh!! One of my favourite movies, with my favourite actors! Konkana and Rahul are the kind of actors you wish to see in every other film. Sadly, we see more of ...anyway, at least we get to see these two fine actors every once in a while, in a film that's so beautiful. I loved the last scene of the film, and have watched this film a few times only for that last scene!
    Oh, and yes, also for the hassled mother of the infant - Konkana. She is simply perfect!

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  2. Ah! I loved loved loved this movie. While I was reading your review, I was remembering the last part of the film and the sweet romance between them and there you described it so beautifully. I must re-watch it again!

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    1. I can watch this movie any number of times, any time.

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  3. It’s quite a mystery that I haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, though have been meaning to for years. Thanks for the lovely review Soumya. Got to catch it soonest. These two are one of my most favourite actors.

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    1. Do watch it Natasha and let me know how you like it.

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  4. Oh it's one of my favourites! My first Konkona film, I think. I really liked the (slow) development of their relationship and yes, as you said, hint of unsaid love!

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  5. I had heard about this movie but never got the chance to watch. Your review is now compelling me to watch it over this weekend!

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  6. I haven't seen the movie but the excellent review makes me to look for the movie for viewing.

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  7. Totally loved each word of this review. I remember watching this film in the first year of our marriage when the husband was down with dengue and I had taken leave. This is one of the movies that we watched in our movie marathon of those times and I was amazed by the simplicity and grace with which this topic was handled. Absolute gem in the history of bollywood.

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  8. I love watching Indian movies but I usually don't go for the 'critics category', if you know what I mean! This one sounds interesting though! I may have to try it :)
    ~ Saraallie
    Sara Writes ~ The Crazy Life of a Silly Little Sister

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    1. This one deserves a watch, Sara. Do give it a try.

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  9. I havent watched this one and now I must for your review is truly compelling Soumya! I love these two actors too and I agree that they bring out the smallest of the nuances so perfectly in their craft!

    M is for Many Lives, Many Masters #atozchallenge

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    1. Watch it Shalini, you will not be disappointed.

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  10. What a fantastic movie this one was! Oh I was so conflicted about the end. I didn't know which way I wanted it to go. Rahul and Konkona were just so good.

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    1. The ending was perfect in its own way, I think. The main stars were so good!

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  11. Oh I loved this movie and Konkana Sen. The one thing that would always stay etched in my mind, well apart from the script, is the way Konkana would call her son "Santhanam", a sort of nasal tone, dragged in a musical way :))

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    1. Oh yes, now that you said it! I like the way Rahul calls him Santa too :)

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  12. That's my favorite favourite movie!!!! Yay! :) Konkana Sen was simply brilliant in the movie.

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