Dor (by Nagesh Kukunoor)

[Dil Bert]

Listened to the commentary.  It was reasonably informative, but it was also filled with so much praise for various actors/crew members that it feels like more important information about the film was crowded out.  The DVD also has a nice collection of location scouting footage.  The DVD I have is the PAL one from Excel -- does the one from Eros have these features?

[dustdevil]

Wow, what a lovely film.  Great performances, and I loved how the music was used, especially the various scenes of people dancing to film music.

But I did not like the particularly predictable storyline concerning Ayesha's in-laws. I felt it had all the caricatures of the "evil in-laws" storyline - the misogynist FIL, the subservient but equally cruel MIL, and then we have Nagesh's character who, of course, lusts after Meera, and her FIL, of course, bargains her to him. In a film with a nuanced liberal woman like Zeenat and the quirky Bahrupiya, I thought the 2-D evil characters in Meera's life stuck out like sore thumb(s).

I agree with this, and I feel like there could have been some more nuanced conflict here without turning the in-laws into people who are just totally obsessed with getting back their house at all costs.  There could have been some conflict about the parents' (and maybe Meera's) disappointment that she hadn't had a child yet. Or a conflict where the family was facing economic hardship, and was really in a position where they could care for Meera as they wanted to.  Or Meera just observing the grandmother's place in the household/society, and realizing that she was going to be living that life for a long, long, long time, and deciding she couldn't do it.

The other thing that sort of stuck with me, that I liked, is that it was never really explained what did happen in Saudi Arabia. You assume, like Zeenat, that Shankar's death was an accident, but I think the movie left it ambiguous about what actually happened.  It's interesting to ponder that Amir might have killed Shankar, or if they did fight leading to an accidental death, what was the cause of the fight.

[encore]

***SPOILER WITHIN***

This Johnny-come-lately recently watched this film for the first time and was deeply touched.  I thought that the ending was brilliant.  If the director had left it where the pardon note was handed, it would have been a great story of forgiveness and reconciliation.  Instead, he took it a step further and, two minutes and an outstretched hand later with no words ever being exchanged, it became a story of deep and abiding friendship. 

If there is ever a film with a crying need of a sequel...this has to be it.  Same main characters, ten years later...something like that.  What do you think?

[jjake61]

Welcome to the Forum Encore! Seems like we haven't had new members in ages.  I would love to have a sequel to this movie. Its a good movie but the ending makes it a classic in my book.

[prahajess]

Welcome, Encore. 
Dor is one of my all-time favorite movies. I like to imagine what happens to the characters, but I'm too afraid of a sequel ruining the perfection of the original to truly desire one. I've been thinking it may be time to rewatch this film...

[Ms. Chandni]

Welcome, Encore. 
Dor is one of my all-time favorite movies. I like to imagine what happens to the characters, but I'm too afraid of a sequel ruining the perfection of the original to truly desire one. I've been thinking it may be time to rewatch this film...

I feel the same way.  The end was so perfect, leaving the what  next to my imagination.  Unfortunately I can't rewatch it because I've sent my copy out on a world tour (well, a California tour) of my newly converted bollywood fans.  But it's one movie I never get tired of watching.

[prahajess]

I feel the same way.  The end was so perfect, leaving the what  next to my imagination.  Unfortunately I can't rewatch it because I've sent my copy out on a world tour (well, a California tour) of my newly converted bollywood fans.  But it's one movie I never get tired of watching.

Ugh, I just realized my copy is also out on a California Tour.

[bella]

Ugh, I just realized my copy is also out on a California Tour.

Mine too.  But New York.
I've watched Dor more times than I can count and never tire of it.
I recently gave  it to a  Religion professor (also teaches Sanskrit)
Everyone I've lent it to , loved it. And cried.

[encore]

Thanks for the welcome.  Very glad to finally be here.

The film left me wondering about what was going to happen to Meera and Zeenat going forward.  These were two young, defiant rural women living in a society where ancient social mores are starting to breakdown at an ever faster pace.  I cannot imagine the brave and resolute Zeenat fading away into mundane obscurity especially after having succeeded in such an improbable mission.  Meera's ability to learn from Zeenat and take it a step further was evident in the movie itself as was her love of life.  Theirs is an unfinished story which I would love to follow.

[jjake61]

Gosh Bella,  Jess and Chandni, I won't even loan my dvd's out to people across the street, much less across the country!, I am so afraid they won't return! You're all more generous than I. 

[bella]

Gosh Bella,  Jess and Chandni, I won't even loan my dvd's out to people across the street, much less across the country!, I am so afraid they won't return! You're all more generous than I. 

Ha! This could be a whole new thread.
 I have lent out so many Bollywood movies only to find friends have returned an empty case or
one disc missing. Or not returned at all.
One instance that comes to mind .. I had an  original Monsoon Wedding DVD with a great sturdy double case laden with all the info
It was replaced with a chintzy plastic one that maybe had the title of the film

[Remini]

I'm not going to break the mould - loved the movie too. There's just one question somebody's pointed out to me:

Spoiler (hover to show)

If nobody knew where Shankar lived, how did his suitcase reach Meera?

[BollyThis]

Thats her  own suitcase with her own color clothes she is not supposed to wear anymore, beng a widow an all.

[Remini]

Thats her  own suitcase with her own color clothes she is not supposed to wear anymore, beng a widow an all.

Spoiler (hover to show)

But even in the end, she asks Zeenat whether she know how it feels when a person leaves alive and only a torn suitcase returns

[desigal90]

No that was Shankar's suitcase.
I watched htis a week ago, and I have no words. Such a beautiful story. Beautiful is the only way I can describe this film.
Everyoen was so perfectly cast.
One thing I loved the best about this movie was the dialogues. SO beautiful, and poetic.

[BollyThis]

No that was Shankar's suitcase.
I watched htis a week ago, and I have no words. Such a beautiful story. Beautiful is the only way I can describe this film.
Everyoen was so perfectly cast.
One thing I loved the best about this movie was the dialogues. SO beautiful, and poetic.

Really? WOW! Then I must have been sleeping. Oh well.. Another excuse to watch this wonderful movie again....

[BollyThis]

Welcome to the Forum Encore! Seems like we haven't had new members in ages.  I would love to have a sequel to this movie. Its a good movie but the ending makes it a classic in my book.

The squeal is  "Thelma And Louise". ...dubbed in Hindi and re subed in English.

[encore]

They knew where to return the suitcase because Shankar, like others working in the gulf, had his detailed address written on the suitcase in very large lettering.  Anyone who has experienced the baggage claim at an Indian airport will know what I mean,   

[Remini]

Than I guess the suitcase part was a big plothole. Because in the whole reason Zeenat set off on the journey was that nobody knew Shankar's address.

[Ms. Chandni]

Than I guess the suitcase part was a big plothole. Because in the whole reason Zeenat set off on the journey was that nobody knew Shankar's address.

Well, maybe the Indian authorities didn't know Shankar's address, but like Encore said, Shankar could have put his address on the suitcase.  I'm going to assume that government bureaucracy is to blame because I don't want anything like a plot hole to spoil this movie for me.

[jjake61]

Well, maybe the Indian authorities didn't know Shankar's address, but like Encore said, Shankar could have put his address on the suitcase.  I'm going to assume that government bureaucracy is to blame because I don't want anything like a plot hole to spoil this movie for me.

Yeah who knows who she talked to, some office dude who didn't bother to actually look at the suitcase. 'yeah yeah we checked no address" sounds very realistic to me. My verdict: No Plot Holes!

[starrysky]

Loved this movie. Thanks to Bollywhat people again for recommending it, I might not have noticed it otherwise.

It's a little modest gem of a movie, really. Very calm, quiet, soft, tender, and soulful. Because of this, the little touching moments shine especially brightly and make you glow inside.

It's also just beautiful! I'm gonna get myself a dvd copy of it, just because of the beauty. I'm generally not a fan of over-decorated films but this one was just to my taste. Beautiful and realistic. Reminded me partly of Paheli because of its Rajhasthani landscapes, sands, turbans, camels, and bright colors, and partly of Titli (the Northern parts, mountains and forests). And somewhat of Pinjar.

But it's definitely not the usual Bollywood fare, so one has to be prepared that it is quite slow, not dynamic at all, there are no item numbers and the drama is very non-dramatic. In terms of powerfulness and holding one's interest it loses out to "Pinjar", in my opinion, but is a great movie nonetheless.

[Dariya]

Than I guess the suitcase part was a big plothole. Because in the whole reason Zeenat set off on the journey was that nobody knew Shankar's address.

If we're going to be mentioning plot holes, what about this one: how was the "widow's forgiveness form" just sitting in the sand when Meera went to find it at the end? Is there no such thing as wind in Rajasthan?  

I know this movie isn't perfect, and I could fully anticipate any complaints people might have against it as I was watching.  But this is exactly the kind of movie that I LOVE.  I love the sweetness and positivity depicted in this and Mod, the director's more recent film.  Both actresses were really good.  Gul Panag especially stood out in the scene where she admits the truth to Meera and she's begging her to save her husband.  And I love Ayesha Takia's face -- I'm so sad that she doesn't do more films, and more quality films.  As for the ending, it would have been really powerful to end it with Meera handing Zeenat the signed form, but my heart was singing when Zeenat held out her arm and Meera ran to catch the train and start a new life with her friend.  That just made me so happy because I wasn't expecting it! I will always take a ridiculously happy and hopeful ending over a sad and "powerful" ending.  

I almost do wish there was a Dor 2.  I say almost, because sequels almost never work.  But I would love to see Meera, Zeenat and Zeenat's husband living happily together in Himachal Pradesh.  Accha, an epilogue after the train scene would have sufficed.