Mansi, played by Aruna Irani the elder sister has to take up professional singing after her father's death and to support the family. The film focuses mainly on the female characters and traces how the younger sibling Bansi played by Shabana Azmi regains her identity.
India
India
Nuanced tale of a woman who has been manipulated, and abused by so many around her, and yet finds resolve and power within herself that is at once refreshing and fully earned. An exceptional lead performance by Shabana Azmi. Likewise, Aruna Irani shines in a role that could easily veer into the despicable or self-indulgent – balancing her selfishness with tender insecurity.
Furthermore, Saaz makes efficient use of some simple tools of framing, movement, and montage to great effect. The film cannily navigates many conventions of cinema, melodrama, and Bollywood musicals in particular to become something much greater than the synopsis might imply. A very fine film that exceeded my expectations in every respect.
Not so loosely based on the lives of the Mangeshkar sisters, India’s foremost playback singers. Lata Mangeshkar’s fictional counterpart gaslights, gate-keeps and girlbosses over her own sister. How this film didn’t get sued into oblivion I don’t know.
