Photograph
*ing: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh, Abdul Quadir Amin
Rated: 6/10
Should Photograph be even compared to The Lunch Box? The only connection between the two films is that they have the same director. While it is not correct to compare two films because the actors are different and so is the storyline, but as an audience, after a movie has set a benchmark — The Lunch Box did it — any project on somewhat similar path will be juxtaposed.
If one were to see Photograph in its entirety, one can sit back and enjoy this slow burner love story with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra as leads. Though the two on the face of make an odd couple, they are perfectly suited here.
That Nawazuddin Siddiqui is brilliant here, would be putting it mildly. It actually looks as if he is is going about doing his what he does best — an effortless acting.
Given that Ritesh Batra is the director here, there are bound to be a few things that find their way in the same platform. First, an unlikely pair who meet by chance and happen to like each other to the extent that they want to meet each other and our hero — Nawazuddin — getting a bit possessive when the heroine’s coaching instructor touches her — she is studying for CA intermediary. Our hero is a street photographer. In reality the two shall never meet.
But when you fall in love and money and family background seldom matters. That is what most of the Raj Kapoor films were about. A poor boy who falls in love with rich girl. The father raises objections but all is well that ends well.
Does the same hold true for our pair? Batra is known to leave the audience with open-ended climaxes. Photograph is no different.
If you are a pessimist and want realism, Photograph will not disappoint. But if you are an optimist you may take heart from — Mujhe pata hai is (movie) ka kya end hoga... Ladka mechanic, ladki bade ghar ki.... Ma-baap ki narazgi... We also know how most of such films ended back in the 50s and 60s. The hero always got the girl.
