Andhra Pradesh

Return of Hanuman

Lord in animation: Hanuman

Film: The Return of Hanuman

Director: Anurag Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap is a patient man. He better be, considering he had to wait for almost half -a-decade to see his first directorial venture kiss the silver screen. But this has been a year of many firsts in Bollywood, and Anurag can afford to smile.Really, 2007 is his coming-to-the-screen near you year. He may not yet be the finished product. Nor even are his films. Yet, even in their relative failure they have managed to convey that here is a talented filmmaker, who listens to his heart, uses his head even if he is yet to get the combination right.

It all started with the much-delayed Black Friday finding cinema halls, and some takers inside them. Then came No Smoking, rubbished by many, but hailed as a feat in experimental cinema.

Now comes The Return of Hanuman, initially called “Hanuman Returns”. This time, Anurag is in safe territory, tried, tested, somewhat triumphed too! Some kind of a sequel to the original that set standards for Hindi animation, this film plays it safe. At times even too safe.

For the greater part, Anurag sticks to the usual way: We have Hanuman with Narad as his companion. There is the white bearded Brahma and countless demons. However, unlike the cute-cute Hanuman of a couple of years ago, this time there is that modern touch, a little blend of mythology with modernism. Call it a concession to the cola-sipping, Spiderman-watching generation, but Anurag’s Hanuman reeks of less faith, more commerce.

So in a bid to cater to the urban crowd, the film has a smattering of English, and some takes on seasoned Bollywood stars.

It is good as a novelty, as a ruse to strike a chord with the viewers, but hey it gets a shade repetitive. Similarly, his Statue of Liberty takes is cute and guitar-strumming Narad good but semi-clad Menaka in Brahma world! That is not quite what the doctor ordered! Story? Well, to expect the unexpected here would be a folly: Hanuman this time comes on earth as a precocious child. He stands up for a neighbourhood kid bullied by other kids. He also has the magic mantra to overcome all evil: he is child-god after all! However, poor Hanuman is let down by some of the artwork.

His eye movement is not as bewitching as it could have been. And the special effects, including the ‘Pralay’ eruption, are on expected lines. Not much to complain, not much to carry home either. Almost like the film.

Yes, the latest animated mythological is likely to amuse the kids.

ZIYA US SALAM

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu