“Dhobi Ghat” a film by Kiran Rao

Mumbai: The new movie created by Kiran Rao speaks of emotional stress and class differences. It makes Mumbai very alluring due to fine camera work by Tushar Kanthi Roy who captures the city in every shade at dawn or dusk.
Nishant Radhakrishna has edited the film tightly and crisply. There is a soothing but a berating musical score from Gustavo Santao Lalla, making the mystical metro city the fifth character in the film that covers people in a city to know and sympathise with their plight.
In Dhobi Ghat, interconnected lives stumble out in many ways. Aamir Khan (husband of Kiran Rao) has done a smart job. Newcomers, or small characters in a play, bring authenticity to the scenes in a weary way. Pratheek Babbar, son of Smitha Patil and Raj Babbar, two great stars of Bollywood, has a peculiar role of day time washerman for which he spent weeks studying Dhobis. He etches a wonderful role as a rate-killer at night in slums. Monica Dogra has an easy-going model role. Ktiti Malhotra springs a surprise in her role. Kittu Gidwani is impressive in his actions. They all figure on the “Dhobi Ghat” stage with a responsibility to bear losses of their profession as Dhobis.
Amir Khan who gave his admirers, films like Lagaan, Taare zameen Pe, Jaane Tu and Peepli, is well on his way to try new subjects with a critical eye, without losing the artistic roles involved in them, and improving the quality of his productions as they come, as a thinking actor.
If ‘Dhobi Ghat’ is about paths that do not cross, there is near-miss of opportunities. There is a stirring drama with hungry connections and raw emotions to strong lovers of new cinema.