I have not been the greatest of critics when it comes to technically analyzing a movie. However, being in the communication industry myself, I know a good movie when I see one. Parzania is one such movie.Directed by Rahul Dholakia, Parzania tells the story of the forgettable Godhra Carnage. The plot revolves around a lower middle class Parsi family in Gujarat. Put up in a secular colony, the family comprising of the father, mother and two children live in complete harmony with the rest of the families. Parzan, the pivotal character in the movie, is a young boy of around ten. He dreams of a land called Parzania, his own version of Utopia, where houses are made of chocolate and mountains of ice cream. All was well and good in the colony and in Parzania till one day, all hell breaks loose.
Hindu Muslim riots are not uncommon in India, but they usually subside after a day or two of tension. However, what Gujarat witnessed that day, was blood chilling to say the least. Thousands of Hindu rioters attack the peaceful colony and sow death in every Muslim family. Thousands are dead, and many more injured as the fanatic plague spreads across the state of Gujarat. Police remain inert under strict orders from the ruling party while hundreds of innocents are slaughtered mercilessly.
Parsis are an unfortunate bunch of people. Neither Muslims nor Hindus, these neutrals are butchered by either parties. Same was the case with Parzan’s family. Cyrus, Parzans’ father was away in his little projector room unaware of what his family was being put through. In a spree for life, Shernaz, loses grip of Parzan, who is lost among the rioters. For her dear life, and the dearer one of her daughter’s, the helpless woman sprees.
The story then dwells on the couple’s futile search for their lost son. What follows is a series of clichéd denials of justice. The character Allan, an American doing a thesis on Gandhi comes to the family’s aid during troubled times. The emotional conflict that the man goes through while witnessing the atrocities in Gandhi’s state – the same Gandhi who had fought tooth and nail for unity among diversity – adds an outsider’s perspective to the movie.
However, what stands out in the movie is the way truth has been portrayed bluntly. It is not often that you see a subject as volatile as communalism and political bias put forth so honestly, so brutally. To back it all, are a few stunning acting performances. Though a performance of this caliber is expected of Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika’s role was beyond imagination. Growing out of her pretty, petite bikini girl persona, the actress threw in a performance worthy of anyone. The testimony in front of the tribunal is one that can make any a strong heart shed a tear.
In short, Parzania is a beautifully and honestly told story. Well-embroidered with intense emotions and deep performances, Parzania is a delight to your senses.
