I admit that this is a delayed review but nevertheless I had to write it down courtesy the brilliance that I saw in the performances, direction and story in Citylights.
Citylights is based on Metro Manila which is a 2013 British-Filipino independently produced crime drama film directed by Sean Ellis. Metro Manila was selected as the British entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards but was not nominated. What I loved is the fact that makers of Citylights gave due credit to Metro Manila which a lot of filmmakers, who adapt other movies, fail to do intentionally and/or unintentionally.
Directed by Hansal Mehta who is known for directing Shahid that got him a National Award for Best Direction, Citylights delivers on the promise that the award has bestowed on him. I simply loved the casting. I adore Rajkumar Rao and with each film of his, my respect for the actor enhances manifold. No wonder Mehta went with his decision to cast Rao yet again after Shahid, after all Rao was also honoured with the National Award for Best Actor. Rao is best complimented with a phenomenal co-actor in the form of Patralekha who plays Rao’s wife in the movie. After watching Citylights, I couldn’t believe that this is Patralekha’s first movie, you have a long way to go girl! And wow, what a splendid show by Manav Kaul as Vishnu.
Citylights is the story of Deepak Singh (Rajkumar Rao) and his wife, Rakhi (Patralekha) whose lives have turned upside down after Deepak’s cloth shop in a village in Rajasthan is shut down courtesy non-payment of a loan taken by him. With no other possible source of income and with high hopes of a better life in Mumbai, Deepak travels miles with his wife and their daughter to come to the city of hope. Mumbai of course had different plans for them and life gets from bad to worse in just hours of them reaching the city. They are duped and life’s almost over for them. As fate would have it, Rakhi ends up working as a bar dancer and Deepak finds employment with a security agency which is introduced to him by Vishnu (Manav Kaul). Deepak and Vishnu work as partners and they are required to collect boxes and deliver it to clients. They never have the keys to the boxes and are required to risk their lives for safe delivery of these boxes. With the turn of events, Deepak lands in a terrible situation which could either uplift Deepak and his family’s life or could completely doom them. You have to see the movie to figure out what happens next!
If I were to talk about the negatives of the film, there’s just one and that is the pace of the film. It sometimes gets too slow but then you realize that the slow pace was somehow requisite for the upcoming event in the movie. However, the brilliant, flawless and terrific performances make up for the pace thousand times. A standing ovation to Hansal Mehta for getting genuine and heartbreaking performances by everyone and especially Patralekha.
A special mention for Rao and Patralekha for the perfect diction of the Rajasthani language. It was without doubt the best accent and diction portrayal ever.
There’s a scene in the movie when Rakhi slaps Deepak and brings Deepak to the world of reality. I was appalled and in awe of this actress who delivered that scene with absolute honesty, sincerity and panache.
Only an out-of-this-world direction could ensure that a simple yet complex movie like Citylights tells the story as is and leaves no room for adulteration. Mehta has proved himself yet again.
Music is simply soulful and lavishly rich. The song ‘Muskurane’ is so beautiful that you won’t stop singing it over and over again. The background music connects to the story and the respective scene like a dream come true.
My recommendation – go and watch Citylights for honest performances, brilliant story and plot, and flawless direction. I give 3.5 teaspoon of masala to this heart breaking tale of life, relationships, struggle and survival.
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