404: movie review

                                                        Psyche your mind

 “The eye sees what the mind is prepared to comprehend” --- this quote by Robert Davidson creates the basis of a movie that represents the genre that has never been rightly trodden by any Indian. Though some shallow trespassing was done by Vijay Anand in ‘Johnny Mera Naam’(1970) and Jyoti Swaroop in ‘Parwana’(1971) – the attempts remained too much melodramatic and unbaked  till 2007 when Manorama Six Feet Under, Mithya, Johnny Gaddar were released. But still, those were not quite worthy of getting the accolade of film-noir, the genre that expresses the flip-side of the glory --- the dark emotions of human.

But in the mid 2011,in the midst of all neo-commercial MMSs and the Khans ‘Ready’ to blast jhinka chika  on the rain-thirsty summer-struck Indians – Prawal Raman , of Darna Mana Hai (a product of RGV factory) fame came out with a movie that can give the audiences the spine-chillers – they hardly ever had experienced in this language.

Set in the chilling north-Indian hills, the plot dwells upon a prime medical institution, keeping ragging as a backdrop. There is a fresher (Rajvir Arora) who defies his seniors and the long-drawn tradition of ragging, an internationally renowned professor (Nishikant Kamat) obsessed with rational thinking and a secret locked in a room ,numbered 404, the non-living protagonist !!!!

And, there in an intriguing story – a desperate fight of a professor to dispel surrealism and a tremorous conflict of a student to cope between illusion and reality.

Ragging and surrealism – the two seemingly unconnected ideas are perfectly juxtaposed to create this paranormal thriller. And , stunningly, the perfectly weaved script inter-twin between them to craft a coherent flow of events that will psyche the mind gradually but with grace – to play with your darkest emotion you would never want to unveil – the obsession with fear.

The film explores the darker aspect of modernity, ambition in a criminal milieu – with an undercurrent of fear playing – a perfect mix for a neo-noir plot.

The film has its own pace. There has never been an attempt to become racy, the unhurried grimness of the film gradually penetrates and trepidates your mind – like cyanide dose slowly but steadily singing you a lullaby to death.

Prawal Raman, the director previously tested his hands in a portmanteau with ‘Darna Mana Hai’ and later in ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’ --- this time he bounces back with a spark. His tribute to the neo-noir genre is a milestone of the evolution of the Indian film Industry. The long shots, the black coats, the dark aroma and the grim feel – all plays in sync. He never made any attempt to sensationalize moments, overplay the tunes of thrill – rather, he let the film choose its own pace.

The background scores of any thriller plays a major part. Here also, the outstanding score by Sameeruddin helped the audience to relate themselves with the compose of the film – the grey-ness of characters – the eerie feeling. The cinematography of the movie by Savita Singh is also excellent. And, the editing is perfectly done to keep the charm of thrill – letting the fear to get its ground in the veins.

404 is embellished with fine performances with each actor infusing flesh and blood into his/her character. Rajvir Arora does a decent job as a fresher in the college. Imaad Shah, after a long time since Dil,Dosti , etc. is cool and effortless. His lucid expressions make me remind of veteran Naseer in every frame. And, Nishikant Kamat, as a professor is superb. His prowess as a professor is flawless.

In a noir movie, the actors need to convey emotions through silence and facial expressions – and here, all the characters have portrayed that with an alarming ease. The flow is visible.

But, the confusion remains, will it mark the start of an era that will emerge with more such sensible thrillers? May be not. In the era, when the producers are coming out with all-out effort to promote their film, 404 movie name was not even known to normal movie-goers. Its not that this type of movies is a sure box-office dud, but still there was no attempt of reaching out the larger mass of audiences. The film fails here, and this is really pity that such milestones will be lost without even creating a craze.

The treat of the movie reminded me of a short-story of Satyajit Ray. There also, the theme was on the lines of paranormal. The story with Ratanbabu, driven to the edge by the existence of his own earthly-shadow, pushed him over the railway over bridge down on the track to death. And, as few moments passed, he can feel the uncanny feeling --- with a thrust on his back –down on the track – only to be rolled by the running train.

Ratanabu’s mouth-freshener container remained stuck in the railing of the overbridge – as an evidence of the mortality and the existence of surrealism.

In 404, the end-twist is a stunner --- and the aftershock will remain till the end-credit rolls and the audiences will remain stuck in the seats – just like Ratanbabu’s mouth-freshener container, with a tickling conflict of rationality and surrealism..!!