Benegal’s ‘Road, Movie’ garners worldwide appreciation!

‘Road Movie’ – a film by the talented Shyam Benegal is going great offshores.

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai: ‘Road Movie’ – a film by Shyam Benegal has already made its mark (and that too) in the international circuit even before its release in India. After getting thumbs-up from leading magazines following its Toronto premiere in September 2009, there is yet another international trade weekly, which got awestruck by this movie and they officially announced it by giving some glowing reviews in their forthcoming issue before its European premiere at the 60th Berlin Film Festival on February 12.It would not be unfair to call Mr Benegal a magician who has so brilliantly captured an aspect of India to canvas a bigger picture. ‘Road,Movie’ is one such amusing, modest story which become all the more pleasant as it treads into the brazen rawness of the country – India. According to a well known critic Allan Hunter, "Set in the barren desert landscapes of an unfamiliar India, it offers a picaresque journey of self-discovery given added flavour by generous dashes of adventure, comedy and romance." He adds, "Opening the Generation 14plus competition at Berlin, this film’s engaging spirit and gentle nature render it very approachable for international audiences looking beyond Bollywood for what Indian cinema has to offer." ‘Road, Movie’ which has been described as ‘India’s Cinema Paradiso’, follows Vishnu (played by Abhay Deol) as a restless young man who rejects his father`s faltering hair-oil business and hits the road with a travelling cinema in search of freedom. The film is full of colours and some unforgettable characters. ‘Road, Movie’ celebrates India’s panorama. The picture boasts stunning cinema-photography from the Rajasthan and Gujarat region by Michel Amathieu, with a memorable score by Michael Brook. Bollywood is coming of age, and ‘Road, Movie’ just proves it!