One of the critically acclaimed movies of 2015 was Aligarh. It is the real life story of Dr. Ramchandra Siras who was accused of immoral acts and was consequently unceremoniously suspended and stripped of his quarters from the Aligarh Muslim University.
The actual real life occurrence of events was a time when homosexuality was a debated topic legally and morally, in India. The movie also reeks of the endless media prime time debates, which keep the actual subject, pun intended, on the sidelines. It also goes to show how human rights foundations try to bend the facts to support their cause in high profile cases like these. It also gives a sneak peek into the problems of a bachelor having to find a rented place to live in.
The naive, lost in his own world of poetry, lonely philosophical by nature, language professor, is played by Manoj Bajpai. A person who is considered an outsider because he is without family and teaches a subject like Marathi in a UP university like AMU. He is so much dejected by the chronology of the events that he becomes somewhat recluse towards the end, although things do turn in his favour. Of course, Manoj Bajpai is top notch as usual in playing all these moods of the character. The film presents two contrasting worlds, one of the silent life of Siras post suspension and the other of the bustling media making a high TRP story, out of it on the streets. He is supported by a young journalist who supports his case throughout. There is one repetitive gallery scene which is reminiscent of the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but far too away. The screenplay is slow like Siras\’s life. Rajkumar\’s character Deepu is a brilliant, middle class and jolly journo who has recently joined a national newspaper firm, trying to make ends meet and looking for some out of the box stories.
The movie opened to rave reviews worldwide, but as usually is the case in India, ended up being a no show at the box office due to the topic. From the director of Shahid and Citylights and the producers of Badlapur and NH 10, this movie on the topic of LGBT rights and the right to privacy, should be appreciated for the very fact that it was indeed made, to focus on such issues in a sensitized manner!!
Well written.