Bold, moving & stirring ‘Sir’ is a triumph for Indian cinema and a searing look at the divide that exists within society.
With its simple yet elegant style – as the camera pans from left to right and one room to the other, often depicting the harsh reality and starkly different worlds of the two protagonists – this right here is emotionally intelligent filmmaking that shines a light on our vulnerabilities and insecurities.
But enough about the way it was made. The film would not have been the same without Vivek Gomber’s soft and delicate persona and Tillotama Shome’s verve and vivacity.
Ever since Gomber’s stellar performance in Chaitanya Tamhane’s ‘Court’ I’ve been on the lookout for more of his work and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Tamhane’s latest – The Disciple – produced by none other than Alfonso Cuaron himself. But that’s a different discussion and a review that will happen soon enough. For now, Gomber has solidified himself as an exciting and intriguing performer keen on exploring roles that are unconventional – breaking stereotypes through the medium of films.
On the other hand, Tillotama Shome is a veteran in her own right – starring in over 30 feature films – who I have still yet to explore as an actor through a compelling filmography that includes ‘A Death in the Gunj’, ‘Qissa’ & ‘Hindi Medium’ to name a few.
Shome shines as Ratna and is an absolute delight to watch.
Beautifully enacted and masterfully executed, Rohena Gera’s sophomore film is brimming with intimacy and replete with metaphors on life – everyone has dreams and sometimes they are as simple as aspiring to be seen as equals in society.
