"dhobi ghat" - Worst or Best of Bollywood ?

Yesterday, I got opportunity to watch the movie named “dhobi ghat [mumbai diaries]”. When I came out of multiplex, I received a sms from one of my friend suggesting, ‘Don’t watch dhobi ghat. It is worst movie of Bollywood’. I found it weird as I was thinking exactly opposite to it.

But gradually, I realized that this time Amir Khan Productions has come up with a truly unconventional movie with which, an average Indian audience may not be able to connect. Because, our Bollywood is used to produce a special kind of entertaining movies (we call them ‘masala’ movies), where there are at least 5-6 songs, dance sequences, chases, some spoofs, intimacy, good storyline (if possible) etc.. etc. As a whole it constitutes a good recipe for an entertaining movie. Leads in these movies normally portrays larger than life persona, which any viewer can just dream about and may not be able to attain practically. Well, nothing wrong in that, because these ingredients give extremely good entertainment which makes a stressed out person feel good.

Dhobi ghat actually falls in a different class of cinema all together. It is like (not exactly) an art/documentary movie. As the subtitle of the movie suggests (‘mumbai diaries’), it narrates a story about the life of four people, observed closely by someone. Its characters emerge from the streets of Mumbai. There is nothing special about them. Like other normal people, they chase their dreams, they struggle to survive, they want to be loved, they expect and they are betrayed. But still they continue the pursuit of their lives in a hope. Beauty lies in the way their story has been narrated using the medium of cinema.

If you are a Bollywood follower and go to watch ‘dhobi ghat’, expecting entertainment “masala”, you will not be able to connect with very idea of this movie. But yes, if you go with an open mind and ready to experience something fresh, you will be able to connect with characters and enjoy the movie to the fullest.

At last, I must say that, ‘dhobi ghat’ is not the best of Bollywood. Because, I strongly believe that best is yet to come. But, is it worst?.... No way..!!