I practically forced everyone around me to watch this movie. I am in my late forties so it’s so easy to relate to everything about Once Again. I could tirelessly explain why one should watch it but was hesitating writing about it. I still am afraid I cannot do justice to the review of everything about Once Again.
The movie is all about Tara, it’s very difficult for me to separate Tara from Shefali. I adored Shefali since “Hasraten” days ages ago but after this movie it will be very hard for me to imagine her in any other form. That’s why I thought of writing this before I start watching Delhi Crime. I am sure with her talent she will totally be the Vartika Chaturvedi. I am not yet ready to part ways with Tara, hence the difficult wait for Delhi Crime.
If I could pick one thing in this movie, It’s all in her eyes. She can express rage, sadness, tears love and romance as well with the same intensity just through her eyes. She didn’t have to talk and her silence spoke very loud and clear. I come back to her eyes so often and every time they portray something different, love, longing, loneliness and passion and hopes. I can go on and on about her and Tara. I watch movie in parts frequently and every time I discover something new through her eyes.
Neeraj’s character and his personality talks tons about his own loneliness and dilemma, struggle to find himself and to choose what he wants, what he should do and what is right and wrong. Many of us deal with it every day in and out. So close to our own struggle. His fear of commitment yet the very need to have that. But as a very mature actor he just takes you in his journey and you cannot do anything but fall for him.
Their chemistry between Neeraj and Shefali is so profound that soon I lost myself in it. You so wish you would feel this way looking at someone. I think I had butterfly in my stomach when they were cooking together in his kitchen. The scene on the poster, when she makes him smell the coriander I was totally lost. I could watch that scene 100 times. At one moment, they were talking about their apprehension, life and past and at the same minute it’s all goes away and affection kicks in.
Music – is such a binding force in movie but strangely I found it speaking to me in my second run of the movie, the very next day. Talvin Singh’s music is all around you, it’s so soothing that it feels just part of whatever is going on screen. Hamsika Iyer’s “tu hi to hai” makes you believe in richness of melody and music all over again. If you have heard Kiven Mukhare by Nusrat Sahab you know how difficult it is to match anything he ever sang, but Magar Ali brings such freshness to this difficult rendition. A brilliant composer uses everyday sound to such perfection. My favorite part is when Tara sings Jagjit Singh’s ghazal. “Baat niklegi to phir door talka jayegi”.
The direction is refreshing. Loved how the soul of Mumbai is present in every frame. The everyday life, sound, people and events are captured very well and soon become part of Tara and Amar’s story. The sound of grinding spices, crowd, waves, street food, vendors, frying pan and everything in life is just like an actor in the movie. Kudos to the director.
And now about my craziness for sarees, I could just watch Shefali in awe. Kirti Kolwankar - you are simply amazing. The wardrobe, I can imagine myself wearing each and every saree Shefali wore in the movie. She made the simple cotton sarees look amazing. The grace and style Shefali and Kirti bring to screen is beyond words. Those simple earing and necklaces Shefali wore are just there to add the beauty to her character not to overpower. There are times when I just watch the sarees on screen. I know the sarees and colors I am buying in India during my next trip.
I would recommend this movie to everyone over 40, a must watch, to find yourself, to rediscover passion, to look into life differently, to wear sarees and to give life another chance.. to fall in love once again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBcfQNMR180
