Hu Tu Tu (1999)
Tabu delivers one of the finest performances of her career in this little gem, and it's a shame that it isn't talked about more when examining her filmography. To be fair, almost every performance of hers demands thoughtful analysis- seriously, how does this woman do it? How does she manage to astound her audience every damn time, even when the script doesn't do justice to her immense talent?
Coming back to the movie, I don't think I have the mental capacity to delve into its politics too deeply. All I can say is that while emotionally moving, it seemed a tad overly simplistic for me, especially when compared to the last Gulzar movie I'd seen, Maachis (1996). It somehow reduced the vast problems in Indian politics to a moral treatise on good parenting. Not that there's anything inherently wrong in that, it just didn't work here for me, probably because the links between the broader context of politics and the narrow sphere of family seemed too clichéd and predictable. The dialogues, however, were beautifully written, and the performances were spectacular- Suhasini Mulay won National Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role as Tabu's politician mother, which was one of the strongest elements of the movie. The songs somehow derailed my focus from the movie- maybe it's because I have heard too many "political" nukkad naatak songs in my life, and not because they themselves were bad. The film is very visually pleasing as well, an aspect that is enhanced by its non-linear narrative.
An underrated part of TCU, this movie is an essential watch for all Tabu fans. Also, she resembles one of my best friends a lot in the climax, and I am lowkey still shook by that. That friend, incidentally, is an aspiring actress too, and has met Tabu!! Ugh, very happy for her but also jealous. Although I'd probably just end up embarrassing myself if I ever get the chance of meeting Queen T. Sigh.
PS- My soul was cleansed when I heard Tabu say "bhadwa" and the first half of "bhenchod". #blessed
Coming back to the movie, I don't think I have the mental capacity to delve into its politics too deeply. All I can say is that while emotionally moving, it seemed a tad overly simplistic for me, especially when compared to the last Gulzar movie I'd seen, Maachis (1996). It somehow reduced the vast problems in Indian politics to a moral treatise on good parenting. Not that there's anything inherently wrong in that, it just didn't work here for me, probably because the links between the broader context of politics and the narrow sphere of family seemed too clichéd and predictable. The dialogues, however, were beautifully written, and the performances were spectacular- Suhasini Mulay won National Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her role as Tabu's politician mother, which was one of the strongest elements of the movie. The songs somehow derailed my focus from the movie- maybe it's because I have heard too many "political" nukkad naatak songs in my life, and not because they themselves were bad. The film is very visually pleasing as well, an aspect that is enhanced by its non-linear narrative.
An underrated part of TCU, this movie is an essential watch for all Tabu fans. Also, she resembles one of my best friends a lot in the climax, and I am lowkey still shook by that. That friend, incidentally, is an aspiring actress too, and has met Tabu!! Ugh, very happy for her but also jealous. Although I'd probably just end up embarrassing myself if I ever get the chance of meeting Queen T. Sigh.
PS- My soul was cleansed when I heard Tabu say "bhadwa" and the first half of "bhenchod". #blessed
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