Amu (film)
Encyclopedia
Amu is a critically acclaimed 2005 film directed by Shonali Bose
, based on her own novel by the same name. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma
, Brinda Karat
, and Ankur Khanna. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival in 2005.
), a 21-year-old Indian American woman who has lived in the US since the age of 3. After graduating from UCLA Kaju goes to India to visit her relatives. There she meets Kabir (Ankur Khanna), a college student from an upper class family who is disdainful of Kaju’s wide-eyed wonder at discovering the "real India". Undeterred, Kaju visits the slums, crowded markets and roadside cafes of Delhi. In one slum she is struck by an odd feeling of déjà vu
. Soon after she starts having nightmares. Kabir gets drawn into the mystery of why this is happening, particularly when he discovers that she is adopted.
Meanwhile Kaju’s adoptive mother – Keya Roy, a single parent and civil rights activist in LA, arrives unannounced in Delhi. She is shocked to discover that Kaju has been visiting the slums. Although Kaju mistakes her mother’s response to a typical Indian over-protectiveness, Keya’s fears are more deeply rooted.
Slowly Kaju starts piecing together what happened to her birth parents and mother and daughter clash as Kaju discovers she has been lied to her whole life. As Kaju and Kabir undertake this quest they both discover their families' involvement with the man-made tragedy of immense proportions which took place twenty years ago in the capital city of India: the massacre of thousands of Sikhs
in 1984; after the assassination of Indira Gandhi
, the Prime Minister of India
. Kabir learns that his father was instrumental in organizing the riots, as well as guilty of failing to stop Kaju's father from being killed. Kabir confronts his father who tries to justify his actions. Keya finally tells Kaju the truth; her birth name is Amu Singh and her Sikh father and younger brother were killed in the riots while her mother hanged herself in a refugee camp.
.
, "What sets Amu apart is its historical astuteness and its creator’s unblinking regard for the past, no matter how brutal."
in India, which cleared it only with 6 politically motivated cuts, and with an "A
" certificate. Since — according to Indian law — this made the movie ineligible to be telecast on Indian television, the producers later reapplied for a UA censor certificate. This was when a 10 minute cut was suggested by censors, including removal of all verbal references to the riots
. Subsequently, the producers decided to forgo the lower certification, and released the movie directly to DVD.
Shonali Bose
Shonali Bose is an Indian film director, screenriter and producer. She is known for her film Amu which explores the suppressed history of the genocidal attacks on Sikhs in Delhi twenty-five years ago.-Early life:...
, based on her own novel by the same name. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
, Brinda Karat
Brinda Karat
Brinda Karat is a communist politician from India, elected to the Rajya Sabha as a Communist Party of India CPI member, on 11 April 2005 for West Bengal.In 2005, she became the first woman member of the CPI Politburo...
, and Ankur Khanna. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival in 2005.
Synopsis
Amu is the journey of Kajori Roy (Konkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen Sharma
Konkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
), a 21-year-old Indian American woman who has lived in the US since the age of 3. After graduating from UCLA Kaju goes to India to visit her relatives. There she meets Kabir (Ankur Khanna), a college student from an upper class family who is disdainful of Kaju’s wide-eyed wonder at discovering the "real India". Undeterred, Kaju visits the slums, crowded markets and roadside cafes of Delhi. In one slum she is struck by an odd feeling of déjà vu
Déjà vu
Déjà vu is the experience of feeling sure that one has already witnessed or experienced a current situation, even though the exact circumstances of the prior encounter are uncertain and were perhaps imagined...
. Soon after she starts having nightmares. Kabir gets drawn into the mystery of why this is happening, particularly when he discovers that she is adopted.
Meanwhile Kaju’s adoptive mother – Keya Roy, a single parent and civil rights activist in LA, arrives unannounced in Delhi. She is shocked to discover that Kaju has been visiting the slums. Although Kaju mistakes her mother’s response to a typical Indian over-protectiveness, Keya’s fears are more deeply rooted.
Slowly Kaju starts piecing together what happened to her birth parents and mother and daughter clash as Kaju discovers she has been lied to her whole life. As Kaju and Kabir undertake this quest they both discover their families' involvement with the man-made tragedy of immense proportions which took place twenty years ago in the capital city of India: the massacre of thousands of Sikhs
1984 anti-Sikh riots
The 1984 Anti-Sikh pogroms / riots or the 1984 Sikh Massacre was a sikh genocide there was four days of violence in northern India, particularly Delhi, during which armed mobs killed Sikhs, looted and set fire to Sikh homes, businesses and schools, and attacked gurdwaras, in response to the...
in 1984; after the assassination of Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi assassination
Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India, was assassinated on 31 October 1984, 9.20 am, at her 1, Safdarjung Road, New Delhi residence.She was killed by two of her Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, to avenge the military attack on the Harmandir Sahib during Operation Blue...
, the Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
. Kabir learns that his father was instrumental in organizing the riots, as well as guilty of failing to stop Kaju's father from being killed. Kabir confronts his father who tries to justify his actions. Keya finally tells Kaju the truth; her birth name is Amu Singh and her Sikh father and younger brother were killed in the riots while her mother hanged herself in a refugee camp.
Cast
- Konkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen SharmaKonkona Sen Sharma is an Indian actress. She is the daughter of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen. Sharma appears primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, and her achievements in the genre have established her as one of the leading actresses of contemporary parallel cinema.Making her...
as Kajori Roy - Brinda KaratBrinda KaratBrinda Karat is a communist politician from India, elected to the Rajya Sabha as a Communist Party of India CPI member, on 11 April 2005 for West Bengal.In 2005, she became the first woman member of the CPI Politburo...
as Keya - Ankur Khanna as Kabir
- Kuljeet Singh as Gurbachan Singh
- Bharat Kapoor as Arun Sehgal
- Lushin DubeyLushin DubeyLushin Dubey is an Indian stage actor and director. She directed, acted and scripted many drama productions for over twenty years. Lushin is also known for her Solo plays Untitled and Pinki Virani's Bitter Chocolate with theatre director Arvind Gaur She also acted in film like Partition ,Murder...
as Meera Sehgal
Production
The film's production was marred by obstacles like a reputed production house backing out in the last moment, and threats from local goons during the shooting of the riots scenes1984 anti-Sikh riots
The 1984 Anti-Sikh pogroms / riots or the 1984 Sikh Massacre was a sikh genocide there was four days of violence in northern India, particularly Delhi, during which armed mobs killed Sikhs, looted and set fire to Sikh homes, businesses and schools, and attacked gurdwaras, in response to the...
.
Reception
A New York Times review, put the film as "the ambitious debut feature by Shonali Bose, wears its political heart on its sleeve and is unafraid to tackle big topics: identity, history, truth, injustice.", while another review starts with words, "Needed to be made. Needed to be made. Needed to be made.". The Time Out review, while commending the film for "effectively grounding its political concerns in Kaju’s credible struggle for identity", also points out, that "it had its share of wobbly moments, and the resolution feels a bit like a cop-out.". Further a Rediff review states, "If Fahrenheit 9/11 can, so can Amu". According to the IndiatimesIndiatimes
Indiatimes is the Internet subsidiary of The Times of India Group, under which, some of the largest websites in India - The Times of India, The Economic Times, Navbharat Times and Maharashtra Times operate....
, "What sets Amu apart is its historical astuteness and its creator’s unblinking regard for the past, no matter how brutal."
Censorship
The film faced problems with the censor boardCentral Board of Film Certification
The Central Board of Film Certification is a Government of India regulatory body and censorship board of India controlled by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It reviews, rates and censors motion pictures, television shows, television ads, and promotional material...
in India, which cleared it only with 6 politically motivated cuts, and with an "A
Adult
An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age....
" certificate. Since — according to Indian law — this made the movie ineligible to be telecast on Indian television, the producers later reapplied for a UA censor certificate. This was when a 10 minute cut was suggested by censors, including removal of all verbal references to the riots
1984 anti-Sikh riots
The 1984 Anti-Sikh pogroms / riots or the 1984 Sikh Massacre was a sikh genocide there was four days of violence in northern India, particularly Delhi, during which armed mobs killed Sikhs, looted and set fire to Sikh homes, businesses and schools, and attacked gurdwaras, in response to the...
. Subsequently, the producers decided to forgo the lower certification, and released the movie directly to DVD.
Awards
- 2005: National Film Award: Best Feature Film in EnglishNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in EnglishThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English winners:-References:*...
- 2005: FIPRESCI Critics Award.
- 2005: Gollapudi Srinivasa National Award – Best Debut Director (India)
- 2005: Teenage Choice Award, Torino, Italy (Cine donne Film Festival).
- 2005: Jury Award, Torino, Italy (Cine donne Film Festival).
- 2006: Star Screen Award – Best English Film (India)
External links
- Official Site
- Brave Heart: An Interview with Shonali Bose, Nirali Magazine, May 2007
- Amu: A film by Shonali Bose