Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002)

This is a must see for all who crave for meaningful, deep yet subtle cinema, and it flows like a dream and goes past you leaving you with the slight tinge of pain at the end. The beautifully simple cinematography blends perfectly with the brilliant background score and the mood of the film.At a personal level, I rediscovered my inner yearnings and passions from the character of Rahul Bose, Mr. Raja Choudhury, whose eyes were telling from the beginning of the subtle, sweet relationship between him and "Mrs. Iyer" of the impending breakup. The poet residing in the heart of the wild life photographer comes out when he started talking about "their" honeymoon and love trips in Waynad, Chidambaram ... which had never taken place, or would never take place. Although Konkona played her role wonderfully and fully deserves the accolades she got, Rahul showed such understated restrain in his acting that one can easily identify oneself with him. I liked the movie for its romanticism and complex interplay of human emotions. It deserves a perfect 10.

What Can I say? Mr.& Mrs. Iyer is one of best 10 films of all times. Aparna Sen at her best. The relation ships between characters were so well defined. Each character is written thoroughly and directed perfectly. Especially the scene where they are going to kill the old Muslim man and his wife handing him his teeth. That was a real poignant scene. The development of relationship between Meenakshi & Raja in its nuances was breathtakingly done. The way the militants make sure whether a particular passenger is Muslim or Hindu by checking whether he is circumcised or not. It is what I read in newspapers about what happened in Bombay after the riots. Over all, its a pleasure to watch.

An exceptional movie. Aparna Sen's choice of majority Hindu population as perpetrators of communal violence was daring, and probably killed the film's prospects at the box office,but significant. There have been innumerable instances of communal violence in India against Muslims, lower class Hindus and Sikhs, for which not a single person has spent a day behind bars. True to life, Aparna Sen's film isn't focused on the violence or the people behind those crimes. That happens. The terror is in the background, only it's effect on the protagonists is visible on screen. The main story is about the change of heart of an orthodox, highly educated, prejudiced and ignorant woman. Some of the subtle nuances would probably escape non-Indian viewers, but there are plenty of things to appreciate for all. The ending ("Goodbye Mr Iyer") would easily be among the best 10 endings I have ever seen in any movies among them Mouchette and Dead Poet's Society. In the acting department,all the cast have acted well, but special mention must be made of Konkana Sensharma for her outstanding performance. Aparna Sen's direction is outstanding, and outclasses any of Mani Ratnam's films who makes similar kind of political-personal dramas. A must see movie for all.

Meenakshi Iyer is traveling on a bus with her son Santanam and befriends a fellow passenger Raja, a wild-life photographer. When fundamentalists attack the bus, she claims the photographer as her husband thus saving his life. Reason: Raja is Muslim. What follows later is a compelling journey into human relationship under critical circumstances. Rahul Bose yet again delivers fantastic performance. Bhisham Sahni and Surekha Sikri played the old Muslim couple in the bus. It was great to see Bhisham Sahni after a long sabbatical. Finally about Konkona Sen Sharma - to be frank, I was a bit skeptical about the gifted director Aparna Sen's daughter. To me the star-kids are pampered lot and fail to rise above the talent of parents. Noteworthy performance of Konkona Sen Sharma as a orthodox Tamil Brahmin house-wife leaves you mesmerized. The finer nuances right from her accent, language, mannerism, dress, bindi has been portrayed with utmost perfection. The parallel cinema can now rest as we have an apt successor to Shabana Azmi.A very different story devoid of the usual Bollywood masala but made with sheer conviction that makes the audience captivated into the storyline. Worth commending is the directors ability to extract the best out of the principal cast. Undoubtedly a launch vehicle from Aparna Sen showcasing her daughters talent - and it hits the bull's eye.