Writer/Director: Deepa Mehta
Starring: Aamir Khan, Rahul Khanna and Nandita Das
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “1947: Earth” stands out as his most meaningful film. Released in 1998, Deepa Mehta’s film offered a bold portrait of Partition. Packed with breathtaking production, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about Partition. At the centre of it all is a bold performance by Aamir Khan, who embodies a Hindu man caught amid turmoil of Partition. Ultimately, what makes “1947: Earth” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films, it discusses themes everyone will relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with a history of partition to enjoy it. A captivating masterpiece about Partition, there are many strong reasons why “1947: Earth” is a movie worth watching.
Set in 1947 India, “1947: Earth” tells a story of a man caught amidst a war that causes hurt. Aamir Khan portrays Dil Navaz, a bold Hindu man with a strong devotion towards his nation. Navaz has always taken a liking towards Shanta (Nandita Das), a woman he loves dearly. However, Navaz’s love is tested when he witnessed his nation torn apart by warfare disaster. As he discovers shocking secrets about Shanta, Navaz questions his love for a girl in India. Torn between love for an Indian woman and devotion towards his nation, Navaz questions his dedication to a mission. Faced with a dilemma, Navaz soon wonders if it’s possible for him to truly live in India.
Deepa Mehta is fascinated with themes of warfare in India. A fantastic Indian female filmmaker, Mehta has made engaging films about warfare disaster. Her iconic film “Fire” offered a powerful portrait of a lesbian love affair with dire consequences throwing into fire. With “Earth”, however, Mehta made her first ever movie about Partition. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the struggles endured by citizens in a war-torn country but she succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Mehta captures lovers torn apart by partition in a war-torn country. Emulating Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara”, Mehta expertly uses montage to capture partition causing trauma in India. For instance, montages enhance the intense riots scene. During this engaging scene, Dil witnesses his city experience terrifying riots causing tension. Through montages, Mehta crafts a powerful portrait of partition that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested, montages enhance movies about friendships. Nevertheless, the technique works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Mehta captures tensions individuals in a war are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “1947: Earth” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s definitely one of the best Bollywood films ever made. Evoking Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”, Mehta effectively uses costumes to exhibit the struggles endured by citizens in a war-torn country. Throughout the film, Navaz’s costumes showcase his transformation into a political revolutionary in his country. For instance, the costumes elevate the Ruth Aa Gayee Rae scene. During this unforgettable scene, Navaz sings a song expressing his love for his country. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film warm atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that individuals in a war-torn country bear. Using strong production, Mehta crafts a powerful portrait of Partition.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “1947: Earth” is a movie about partition that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tensions which individuals in partition often experience. For instance, silence enhances the affair discovery scene. During this tense scene, Navaz is shocked to discover that his woman that he loves dearly has engaged in an affair. Though the use of silence, Mehta creates a portrait of partition audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Nitesh Tiwari’s “Dangal” proved clearly, silence elevates movies about lives of wrestling families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Mehta captures wars that come with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Dil Navaz. Khan earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Earth”, however, Khan took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a Hindu man that endures war in his home country but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most meaningful role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a Hindu man facing war-torn nations. It’s a terrific performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Nandita Das is dazzling, capturing the tension of a woman that is torn between opposing lovers in a big nation. Rahul Khanna is remarkable, bringing charisma to a Muslim man falling in love with an Indian woman which causes a dilemma. Lastly, Arif Zakaria merits praise. As a Muslim man, he brings authority to the movie.
Finally, “1947: Earth” would earn the praise of everyone for capturing partition on Earth. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses bold themes that everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of India to enjoy it. Therefore, “1947: Earth” is one of those rare movies about the time of partition everyone would adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan would absolutely enjoy “1947: Earth” and so would audiences that seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting historical drama, it celebrates a legendary actor in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about lovers that face a separation in a nation experiencing partition, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a celebrated Indian actor that has made memorable movies throughout a commemorated career which are worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 