Aligarh – Between the Words

 

 

Aligarh 

2015, Hindi

Director – Hansal Mehta

Ashish Vidyarthi -Anand Grover

Dinaz Irani - Nameeta

Manoj Bajpayee – Prof. Siras

Prashant Kumar - Irfan

Rajkummar Rao -Deepu Sebastian

 

 

He was like most older, intellectual men, one of certainty, about himself, about life, and about the hidden wisdom of the world.  He was a proud Brahmin, a consummate vegetarian, a bit of a hypochondriac, and a studied philosopher and professor. And, it just so happens, he was gay.

Manoj Bajpayee's portrayal of Professor Ramachandra Siras is so amazing, it puts the actor on a far great plateau than the TV serial heroes he has come to play of late.  And, it is this portrayal, with its powerful dialogue and sheer refusal to be labeled, which sets the standard for this film.

Mr. Rajkummar is perfect as the "Tuesdays with Morrie" - like reporter who learns about life and love from a man whom he seeks to defend.  There is a poetry to their conversations and a bond that is as much father and son as it is mutual respect and friendship.  I could certainly relate to their relationship, as I have gained much self-worth and dignity in my own conversations with older, mentoring men.

But, it is in losing the dignity to kowtow to an audience looking for sex that the movie drops down notches. It feels like the comedy or dance sequences in higher budget Bollywood, a discomforting force fit for TRP.

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐