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1987 brought us a film that didn't find the need to flutter verbal diarrhea all over our screens. It's not elitist—it’s magnificent. 'Pushpaka Vimana,' directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, challenges the noise-centric narratives Hollywood, and Bollywood typically serve. Starring Kamal Haasan and Amala, set in the bustling urbanity of Bangalore, this film is a silent narrative masterpiece. Now, before you go crossing your arms in skepticism, let’s get some facts right—this isn't a 'silent' film for the sake of it. It's a loud, emphatic statement against the non-stop chatter of celluloid. Think of it as seeing life through the lens of realism, where everyday actions speak louder than glitzy dialogues.
It's more than just a film—it's a critique of society's glorification of materialism and the relentless chase for wealth. Rao doesn’t just spend the movie showing you a mute character in Kamal Haasan's common man (yes, the 'everyman' who isn't glued to a socialist handbook). This man finds winning a sweepstakes ticket unfolded into a tale of bizarre circumstances. Similarly, a wealthy drunk (also played by Haasan) lugging around the burdens of affluence gives the narrative a parallel world to comment upon the inherent dichotomies of society.
Interestingly enough, 'Pushpaka Vimana' does all this without leaning on the worn crutch of dialogues. It's like watching raw capitalism and socialism play out on screen, without being spoon-fed what to think (and how rarely does that happen?). The silent storytelling confronts you head-on, leaving the explosive dialogues for the mentally lazy. Each scene is a message, a proverbial nudge waking you from hibernation.
The background score highlights the folly of human materialism, where appearances do little to mask the moral vacuity within. Viswanathan's music almost mocks the gold-cult of modernity—inner critique against the celeb-focused culture. Liberals might find the film's anti-material themes right up their mindfulness alley, maybe for once including meaningful dialogues (because yes, in this miracle of '87, pilgrims, there are none!)
Haasan’s performance in both roles is a masterclass in subtlety, embodying the voiceless struggles of ordinary versus the embittered elite. He doesn’t pontificate; he enacts. There's no need to brag about the film's awards. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, letting excellence speak for itself. Leave it to the liberals to plaster gold stars all over the laundry list of awards this film racked up. But here’s a truth bomb: some cinema doesn't need validation through accolades. It speaks volumes even when you stay silent.
India’s rich narrative history, dating back to ancient epics, inspires directors like Rao, who craft excellence without bowing to the cheap allure of battalions of dialogue-writers (Hollywood, are you listening?). Now, let’s channel the student in you who once dreaded silent study hours, because 'Pushpaka Vimana' schools you in something greater. It shows the soul-searching potential of Indian cinema when it doesn't lazily rely on verbal crutches.
The character of the wealthy drunk hypnotically ensnares you into a chaotic odyssey of paradoxes between what life offers and what people want. The contrast between the characters’ worlds doesn't just tickle you with situational humor, but starkly paints life's unpredictability. The visual narrative chronicles themes about stark inequality without wagging fingers in the often hypocritical manner of supposed liberal establishment directors who claim wisdom beyond their pay grade.
So why discuss a film from 1987 today? Because there's wisdom wrapped within these silent folds, urging modern filmmakers to strip away the filler and dig deep into hard-hitting realities. It's high time we kill off the exasperating liberal-leaning love affair with melodrama or empathy tokens at the cost of robust storytelling.
Our little rollercoaster through 'Pushpaka Vimana' might have unearthed sentiments many of you never imagined emanated back in the '80s. It's time we commend the maverick magic that arises from visual art relying purely on keen insight and raw talent, not gimmicky-saturated platitudes. And as Haasan’s nameless protagonist journeys amid life’s ironies, a crucial takeaway blooms—silence is indeed golden, but only when it echoes with genius.