Gulaal (2009)

I just finished seeing Gulaal and I thought I'd share my views on this film before I turn in for the night.

It was really really good. Very very serious, but really very good. The acting was brilliant and at times it felt like I was watching a play. Anurag Kashyap has really done a good job.

I had read up a bit on it before I went to see it. But you don't really understand the reviews until you see the film. It had some very strong characters, interspersed with some characters who were just not that strong. I couldn't believe some of the things that were happening in the film though and the involvement of the police in some of the disputes was almost negligible.

The females in the film were like an Ayn Rand book - when they're strong - they're slightly wierd (Ayn Rand readers will know what I mean).

I can't understand why the film was called Gulaal though. Ok - Khoon was not apt. What was the symbolism behind the Gulaal theme? In one scene the character based on John Lennon says - why do you put gulaal on your face? If you don't want to be recognized - does this really make a difference because you can still see who I am? Best is if everyone just wears identical masks - then we'll all just become the same.

Can you also just go around killing whoever you want? In your last moments before death, will you see the people you loved the most? Is it really the people who plot and manipulate that get on top?

I was surprised though that there weren't that many people watching this film. I would've encouraged everyone I knew to go see it!!