A tale of trauma that flies in the face of political conveniences - Shikara film review

Kashmiri Pandits love their Dal Lake, boat riding, Rogan Josh (Lamb curry) and apple tree which aren't something that is worth the sacrifice, even to stay alive. As for them, life without any of these is a life less lived.

This is only the second movie since the Pandits were forced to vacate Kashmir in 1991, that throws light on the exodus. Which very much tells there is cherry picking even in voicing objection to oppression.

Beauty of the valley is so feelingly pictured with the aura of tragedy slowly casting its shadow. Shikara reminds Ashoke Pandit's 2004 film Sheen --- the first movie on Pandit exodus, in its picturising of the valley.

Screenplay relies completely on emotions hence keeps things simple. There are no twists except that professor Dr Shiv Kumar Dhar's (Aadil) letter to the American president getting answered.

Shanthi Dhar played by Sadia Ali, is a collective agony of Kashmiri pandits who are still haunted by the fateful day of January 19, 1990. The scenes that she gets nostalgic wells even the eyes of those who have just seen Kashmir on a map.

Shikara appeals with genuine performances without any cinematic device. Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra is not partisan to of any kind of political narrative, giving Pandits' suffering authenticity unadulterated by any vested political interests.

The narration lingers in a sweet spot where it both balances the blame on all factors party to Kashmir's and Pandits' status quo and also dares to call a spade a spade.

There is a scene set in the Pandit refugee camp where a group of school boys in the year 1992 marching with the cry 'Mandir Wahi banayenge' getting chided by the professor Dhar to not widen the rift. Back in the valley, a Hindu can call a Muslim as Abba (Father) as love cuts across all differences. Such scenes are examples to why Shikara is a movie for all.

This movie ably succeeds in getting across its point that all kinds of oppression needs to be addressed. This it does not by romanticizing patriotism or Muslim-bashing or by condoning government's crackdown on peaceful Kashmiri political rallies which has done its part in youth losing hope in political reforms and turning to arms.

Many scenes were shot in Kashmir's Hazratbal and suchlike hotbeds of simmering tension. Panning shots were an eyesore in the cinematography department which was otherwise good with a helping from an already serene and heavenly Kashmir.

Background score by AR Rahman and his Qutub-e-Kripa is an essential piece in completing the picture of the valley.

Kashmir is definitely much more than strategical significance and political ammo. She could neither be bathed by Muslim blood nor could she bear separation from her Pandit children.

Shikara deserves thorough recognition and applause for telling that Kashmir deserves better.