“Paar(1984) By Prakash Surya

“After a long time, I had the experience of watching a great movie. Why? Because of the values in the films of the past. This story emerged from the struggles and lives of the poor. The movie was directed and composed by renowned filmmaker ‘Goutam Ghose.’ It was set against the backdrop of the Telangana peasant rebellion, and the film ‘Maa Bhoomi’ was made. The story written by ‘Samresh Basu’ is the basis for this film. It vividly portrays the hardships faced by families when they migrate from villages to cities. Coming to the story, a labourer, after killing his landlord, flees to the city with his wife. Realizing that escape is impossible, they decide to return home. To earn money, they agree to herd a drove of pigs across a river. The mental anguish experienced by the pregnant woman is the essence of the story. Filming scenes with pigs could have been unpleasant, but Goutam chose this pig-centered story and presented it to the audience without evoking any discomfort. The roles and scenes are interconnected, taking the audience into another world. The main reason for this is the excellent screenplay. The key reason is how the director steered the story. It’s not easy to cross not only a fast-flowing river but also the oceans of struggles in life. Shabana Azmi as Rama, along with Naseruddin as Naurangiya, delivered incredibly natural performances, standing as a testament to their acting prowess.”                                                                                                 Prakash Surya