Oscar 2023 nomination

A straight celebration for regional cinemas in giving upright blow to Bollywood in their creation and riveting performance. This year's Oscar (2023) nomination from India -- a Gujarati fim, Chello Show (Last Film Show) -- reverberates the evolution of cinema all across the globe. It shows a blend of Indianess with the transformation of singleplex to multiplex cinemas.

The films beautifully marries the dedication of a child to direct films and the associated societal stigma. He, protagonist, had love at first sight with Light or Prakash when he visits cinema for very first time. From then onwards, like a kid which we all can relate, he finds every naive and innovative way to accomplish that love. In this quest, most importantly, his band of friends is always there to support him.

The story begins with Samay (protagonist) trying to capture light. The name --Samay-- is chosen aptly showing how even a destitute has 'time' which one can use constructively or destructively. Same goes for the family of Samay that had lost everything except time so, his father gave him name Samay. This very instance speaks to us that time is all we have -- or not.

As I can find, movie was shot at somewhere in Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat that quitely depicts the culture of that region. The unique mix used by the director -- Pan Nalin -- of the changing cinema and associated Indianess gives it a different touch. The life of kid who grew up selling tea and shouting chai chai wants to get out of this place. Samay and his friendship reminds us all that how we used to play in our childhood in those rustic settings of our town. These all, together with the performance of Richa Meena and  Dipen Raval adds flavours in the entire film. It shows, a typical Indian family, a father who is trying to make his son study with all that he can -- with broom and stick -- and a mother who loves her son with all she can -- with her heart and soul. Especially, Richa almost acts like Leonardo in Revenant -- hardly any dialogue but still able to grab the attention of audience -- and not to forget her daily cuisine that she cooks sprinkles the Gujarati touch.

Most beautiful part of the story, preferably, was two different stories -- Samay's and Fazal's --  took different roots but culminated into one. From bunking classes, Samay find ways to watch the film and one day he met Fazal. There was a quid pro quo between both which proved the famous line of Alchemist -- "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it". Even more than that, it depicts that how even in abject poverty we can find ways and people who can make our dreams come true. The story acquires a complete oneness when the only cinema of the area was turned to multiplex and Samay helped Fazal in finding a job at a local railway station. This was, I think, a billion dollar lesson showing that sometimes we should embrace the help and advice of younger ones instead of being an arrogant potato.

The evolution of cinema from singleplex to multiplex attracted the Oscar selection committee the most. Singleplexes were present in the early stages of cinema where a single show was screened at a time at a cheaper rate. Whereas, in multiplexes there are many simultaneous shows running with much more luxury and price. In singleplex there used to be reels which even an illiterate can operate but post-multiplex, it required computer knowledge and English language proficiency. This was a crisis in the history of cinema that shattered many dreams and Chello Show is a cinematic requim for that crisis.

The evolution of cinema re-established the firm belief among Indians that without English one is of no use. The change in the cinema brought down many dreams and led to the growth of the industries of scrap metal, bangles, etc. In the end, the film very beautifullly shows that when the objects were changing shape in furnance, Samay (like many others) was roaming around in factory in a helpless state seeing his dreams crushed in front his eyes.

Overall, movie deserves a watch. Whether it wins Oscar or not, its meticulous arrangement of scenes, acting and the concept of change--of cinema-- makes it worth to watch. I think time has come for Bollywood to learn from these regional film industries and stop producing remake of South(mostly).

In addition to that, Kantara (with astonishing cinematography) has again proven that the time for regional cinemas has come.