Tahaan (2008)
A tender fable about childhood innocence amid the realities of war is set against the rugged landscape of Kashmir, so long a flash point for the territorial claims of neighboring India and Pakistan. The title character, an eight year old mountain boy, often hears distant gunfire. But it is not until he goes on a quest to reclaim his beloved donkey, which has been confiscated as payment of his poor family's debts, that he is drawn toward a violence he has no capacity to understand.
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the audience applauded
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.
I admire Santosh Sivan's work and I'm proud that directors and cinematographers of his calibre are emerging from a bollywood inflicted film world. The cinematography, light, grays, darkness, textures of the landscape is so rich that you taste it and feel like you are in it. It was a visceral and voyeuristic experience watching this movie. Your heart goes out to the silently portrayed heart-broken mother played so beautifully by a very expressive actress Sarika (very underrated actress unfortunately). Disappointed by Rahul Bose's depiction of his character, Anupam Kher's character's dialogue had profound implications and conveyed so much of the film's underbelly. There is hope, hopelessness, faith, desperation, innocence all rolled into one. Without being political or aligned with either side, santosh sivan manages to portray just what is-a sad time of Kashmir's history, loss of an immense spiritual tradition and history, and shows how the downtrodden are the ultimate puppet victims in a game played by governments and terrorists. There were a lot of loose ends for me in this movie however, what happens to the mother's search, what happens after the intended plan is foiled- I was left wanting to know more but felt watching the credits roll by a little unresolved. The movie is slow to unfold initially but builds up to an almost intolerable suspense. The visual richness will keep those with an eye for this satiated. I was grateful to watch the Kashmiri landscape and play of light in every one of Mr. Sivan's shots. The subtleties were not lost upon this fan. More please Mr. Sivan!
Its a very picturesque and touchy movie the director Santhsoh Sivan.Even though the treatment is close to Iranian style the film is much beautifully shot and has a fable like quality about it as promised by the director.I can assure you that there isn't another Hindi movie like this so far. The film has a great cast and they does justice to their characters especially the 8 year old boy who plays Tahaan and Rahul Bose.Santhosh Sivan's cinematography is simply superb. Its this kind of movies that needs to be promoted for the future of Indian cinema.Am not spoiling your chance of enjoying a good movie by commenting on the plot.So go watch the movie and have a great time!!!
Santosh Sivan's Tahaan is a beautiful joy-ride down a child's psyche and his perception of the world around him that rotates on the give-and-take policy."Tahaan's meaning is different in different languages. In some languages it means 'Merciful', in Bengali it means 'Tolerance' while in some other languages it means 'Curse'. Actually here the boy is named Tahaan. " says Santosh Sivan, the director of this films. His films (Tahaan, Before the Rains, Prarambha (short), Navarasa, Anandabhadram, Theeviravaathi: The Terrorist, Malli, Halo, Asoka..) have always been something I look forward to..The tranquil valley, reverberating with the constant shelling and army beats sets the perfect foil which paradise on earth witnesses everyday, the affection with which both the militants and the separatists handle Tahaan's inquisitiveness rather asserts the fact that irrespective of what one is , one's heart melts in front of something so innocent and beautiful. Santosh Sivan strikes the right chord with this film, one wonders why such a palpable insight into Kashmir was missing in films dealing with the same issues..This movie will give you an experience you can't find a substitute for.. watch it for its effort..
There's a scene in Santosh Sivan's Tahaan in which a group of Kashmiri kids play make-believe militants. That scene, more than any other scene in this film, succeeds in demonstrating just how well the director understands the themes he's dealing with in his new film.Tahaan is a heartwarming story of the friendship between a young Kashmiri boy and his faithful childhood companion, a donkey. It's the story of a difficult journey the boy is willing to undertake to bring back his donkey, who has been separated from him.But Tahaan is also the story of present-day Kashmir and cross-border terrorism, and of course, of the test that the little boy is put to in the name of unconditional friendship.Unfolding at a leisurely pace, Sivan's film addresses so many relevant and important issues but you've got to be alert to notice.On the surface, it's a simple fable, almost Iranian-film like in its treatment, but think hard and you'll agree it packs in so much all at once. I'm going with 8 on 10.It's a film of great virtue