Lootera is the second directorial venture of director Vikramaditya Motwane after his brilliant debut in Udaan which was a coming-of-age tale set in the small town of Jamshedpur. In Lootera, he captures an intense, yet tender romance set in the early years of independence.
The story - an adaptation from O. Henry's short story "The Last Leaf" - starts unfolding in rural Bengal in a place called Manikpur where Paki (Sonakshi Sinha) is the daughter of an affluent zamindar who dotes on her. Pakhi is a spunky independent spirit and nurtures ambitions of becoming a writer. We are also introduced to Varun (Ranveer Singh) who enters the zamindar's household as an archeologist interested in the site around a local temple. Soon enough, we see them getting attracted to each other in moments which are captured in beautiful frames of mirth, subtlety, saturated silences and some sparkling background score. Although, the zamindar who is an adoring father agrees to their union at once, the lovers are forced to confront some overwhelming odds which push them apart. The rest of the movie narrates the choices they make and their consequences. While the first half of the movie is set in rural Bengal, the second half moves to the snowy locales of Dalhousie.
Lootera takes us back to a long forgotten terrains of an old-world romance and charms it's way into the hearts of the viewers effortlessly, makes them feel deeply for the leads and gradually grows on the unsuspecting viewers much like an overnight beard. This comes as such a welcome whiff of fresh breeze after the routine and inane drivel which passes off as eternal romance in Bollywood.
Sonakshi Sinha lights up the screen and carries the various shades of Pakhi beautifully while Ranveer Singh is brilliant in a part that requires him to be soft-spoken, subtle and intense. Both have given their best-ever performances and consequently, their characters become very real, relatable and hook the viewers to their journey ahead. They are amply supported by a competent supporting cast.
Amit Trivedi has provided the movie with wonderful sounds and a brilliant background score which is almost a breathing character as any in the movie.
This is a work of art that is flawlessly crafted in all its exquisite details just like the sculptures populating our temples of yore & is near perfect in its execution. Vikramaditya Motwane, in only his second film, comes across as an assured auteur in full command of his medium and art. He has spawn a masterpiece by brilliantly combining the best of all the elements, be it top-notch performances from his leads as well as supporting cast, captivating cinematography which captures the landscapes with a natural flourish, lilting songs and a winning background score.
Take a bow Vikramaditya Motwane.. If Udaan was his take-off, here he is soaring to great heights of excellence.
Lootera is a wonderful journey into a long-lost world suffused with subtle sensibilities, sparkling romance, undying love, mirth, chivalry, intriguing dilemmas and searing pain. It is journey that would stay with us long after we are back from it.
This movie is a delectable treat for every cinephile and deserves being treasured for times to come ! One can only hope and pray that it achieves commercial success too which will encourage more such attempts by auteurs of the ilk of Vikramaditya Motwane. May his tribe multiply and flourish .... AMEN !
NOT TO BE MISSED ...MUST WATCH !
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