Man is perhaps growing tired of one
of the oldest institutions he has inherited: Marriage. Urban life has
drastically revisited its moral premise and is perhaps undergoing an adjustment
phase. It is going through a zone of chaos. Society does not visit its
institutions in parts. The resultant tumult is based on the effect of the
revisit and not so much the spot of such re examination.
The knowledge wave and the power shift towards real economics has perhaps in a
paradoxical fashion echoed the Marxian belief of economics being at the root of
it all and since the super structure has changed drastically ( based on some
perceptions of economics) the roots too should have. The aerial vision however
clearly indicates the same.
Seen in the context of our cinema , this and more is reflected in Saurav
Shukla’s Raat Gayi Baat Gayi. Even seen from a non societal perspective and
from the limited vision of cinema as an entertainment function the film is a
clear indication of the maturing of our cinema. Obviously our film makers are
now willing to walk on roads less travelled , even not cash entrapping and
addressing a specific audience.
The script skilfully designed reflects the simmering tribulations in nouveau
world of the haves, the fashionables and the intellectuals. There is somewhere
there a a disturbing zone . Issues varying from under achievement, satiate
quotient, infidelity, suspect morality, lack of personal accountability- all
these and more are manifested in the crowded emotions of three couples whose
lives seem well ensconced till the simmering emotions begin to play tantrums
with the quiet surface of life.
Rahul (Rajat Kapoor) has every thing going his way till he attends this party
one night and runs into a compulsive teaser Sophia (Neha Dupia) and looses his
balance. His wife Mitali (Iravate) is a sculptor who has a fine family but has
a discernable aching for the company of a young man of her profession; Amit
(Vinay Pathak) is happily married to Nandini (Anuradha Menon) but is addicted
to porn sites and thus a marriage at stake; Saxena (Dalip Tahil) is a writer
who has a solution to every challenge in the lives of others but can do little
of his naïve (?) wife Jolly (Navneet Nishan). All meet at this party
reminiscent of the Benegal film The Party and life is mirrored in its delicate
nuances. In built frustrations and abnegated desires raise their voices and
create a furore in the seeming peace.
All this is treated without much ado and with a tongue in cheek manner. None of
the characters over reach and function within the realistic realms of their
being. This makes the narrative very authentic and the viewer is forced to take
it seriously. There is then the Saurav Shukla humour ( wry) which helps you
chuckle instead of laugh. It is not often that our film makers make you have a
smile on your face, Invariably you are laughing at rather than laughing for.
This is a welcome change.
All the actors put in their best and deliver the kind of performances that in
another context would have been viewed as “bits and pieces” performers. Thy
collectively and individually deliver and that is what matters in a team game
called cinema.
Raat Gayi Baat Gayi is at one level about a case of mild amnesia- real and more
importantly moral and emotional. Nice movie. Asks questions. Worth watching, it
may set us thinking!!
L.Ravichander