This is the first review I am writing for any movie. Such is the impact of the movie that it stays with you. More importantly, being from India I couldn't help but ponder about the similarities India and Pakistan have. Amongst all other things, we are also engaged in a tooth and nail competition in corruption. Anyways enough digressing.
Shah is a compelling story. Made in a shoe-string budget, much should not be expected from the quality of side-actors and the cinematography. However Shah's role has been played quite well.
But it is the story which keeps you occupied. How the corrupt bureaucrats have played havoc with the sports bodies and life of sports-persons is heart-wrenching? The lives of footpath dwellers (footpathia), their treatment at the hands of the elites reveal how as a society we are in a downward spiral. And it mustn't be blamed on westernization. Why social conflicts in India and Pakistan have taken such enduring forms where kids are forced to take up arms because of the persistent state apathy.
Sports-persons in the sub-continent are happy to represent their country and stake their life for it. Despite no institutional and systemic support, they bring laurels to the nation. But as a society, we fail them with unparalleled callousness. Such stories also abound in India where former Commonwealth medallist, Asian games champions are forced to live in penury, even forced to sell their body organs.
The rot in media is also reflected in the movie where it ceaselessly spews hatred and negativity among the people.
At the end, such stories need to be brought forward more and more. Maybe that would shame us out of our couch and care for those who brought reasons to cheer for nations mired in poverty and unemployment.
Shah is a compelling story. Made in a shoe-string budget, much should not be expected from the quality of side-actors and the cinematography. However Shah's role has been played quite well.
But it is the story which keeps you occupied. How the corrupt bureaucrats have played havoc with the sports bodies and life of sports-persons is heart-wrenching? The lives of footpath dwellers (footpathia), their treatment at the hands of the elites reveal how as a society we are in a downward spiral. And it mustn't be blamed on westernization. Why social conflicts in India and Pakistan have taken such enduring forms where kids are forced to take up arms because of the persistent state apathy.
Sports-persons in the sub-continent are happy to represent their country and stake their life for it. Despite no institutional and systemic support, they bring laurels to the nation. But as a society, we fail them with unparalleled callousness. Such stories also abound in India where former Commonwealth medallist, Asian games champions are forced to live in penury, even forced to sell their body organs.
The rot in media is also reflected in the movie where it ceaselessly spews hatred and negativity among the people.
At the end, such stories need to be brought forward more and more. Maybe that would shame us out of our couch and care for those who brought reasons to cheer for nations mired in poverty and unemployment.