Cast: Juhi Chawla, Nandita Das, Manisha Koirala, Sanjay Suri, Rahul Bose, Purab Kohli, Radhika Apte, Shernaz Patel, Arjun Mathur, Anurag Kashyap, Abhimanyu Singh
Director: Onir
Onir’s I AM has four small stories and in each of these stories the protagonist is in search of its identity. Afia, played by Nandita Das is a divorced woman who feels that she doesn’t have to depend on a man to have a baby and instead decides to use services of a sperm donor (Purab Kohli). Megha, played by Juhi Chawla who was forced to leave her hometown due to communal violence, returns to Srinagar to sell her house only to realize that Muslims who were left behind are still suffering and are struggling to live a life of dignity. Abhimanyu, played by Sanjay Suri is a victim of child abuse by his stepfather (Anurag Kashyap) and is still recovering from this incident. Omar (Rahul Bose), who is exploited in his own country and the only reason being that he is a homosexual.
The performances in the film are absolutely brilliant and they leave an everlasting impression on the viewer’s mind and heart. The casting director has picked up a perfect cast. The awkward talk in the hospital waiting room between Nandita Das and Purab Kohli has come out beautifully. Just watching Manisha Koirala and Juhi Chawla act together after so long makes you realize that there is no one from the young generation who can match the grace and the brilliant acting of the two most elegant ladies of the Indian Cinema. Rahul Bose has proved again that with his acting skills he can perform any character with ease. Abhimanyu Singh as a cruel cop leaves a lasting impression on the audiences.
The four stories are sensibly written and the sensitive issues are handled with maturity. Onir’s direction is amazing. He has given the treatment the theme of the stories demand. Despite the four stories not being connected, the individuality of each of the story is maintained. Onir’s films have always been different. He always tried to show a different perception to a particular problem. I AM is one of those films.
I AM is now available on DVDs and VCDs.
Ratings- 3/5
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