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The gruesome partition of 1947 and its repercussions is what forms the take-off point for Deepa Mehta's, Earth. Adapted from Bapsi Sidhwa's novel 'The ice Candy man', the movie has been brilliantly directed by Deepa Mehta. Second, in the trilogy of Fire, Earth and Water the movie has excellent performances from all its central characters. Set in Lahore it is the tale of partition seen through the eyes of an 8 year old parsi girl, Lenny, who is looked after by her maid, Shanta(Nandita Das). The role of Shanta has many shades to it. She is sensual, feminine, flirtatious and yet strangely innocent too. Hassan, (Rahul Khanna) the soft spoken masseur and Dil Nawaz (Amir Khan) the brash & roguish ice candy man are both amongst Shanta's ever increasing tribe of suitors. |
Lenny is leading an idyllic childhood in her rich parsi household surrounded by her doting ayah & the other servants. Suddenly all hell breaks loose when the partition becomes a reality and the senseless violence and the bloody carnage starts. Hindu and Muslims kill each other and the world of charm & innocence gives way to stark fear and hatred. This is nowhere more starkly evident than in the Character of Dil Nawaz, who after the slaughter of his relatives turns into a venom spewing, revengeful mad man, filled with hatred against the other community. The film highlights the basic fact that nationalism when gone awry can result in such senseless bloodshed and we still do not seem to be learning from out past mistakes. Aamir Khan has come up with one of his best performances ever. As for Rahul Khanna- he's certainly the man to watch. |
