Ray on Netflix – a Manoj Bajpayee, Kay Kay Menon, Ali Fazal & Harshvardhan Kapoor starrer anthology tribute to Satyajit Ray is a mix of irreverent and irrelevant. The anthology comprises of 4 stories inspired by the master of Indian cinema Satyajit Ray. But like most Indian anthologies by Netflix, Ray too is a mixed bag of stories that are glorious and underwhelming.
Check out our review of Netflix India’s Ray – directed by Abhishek Chaubey, Srijit Mukherji, & Vasan Bala.
Details
Ray comprises of 4 short films based on Satyajit Ray’s works – Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, Bahrupiya, Forget me Not & Spotlight.
Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa Review
Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa: PROMO
Starring Manoj Bajpayee & Gajraj Rao amongst others, Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa’s title is taken from a Ghulam Ali ghazal by the same name which portrays a man’s conundrum of why there’s so much noise, as he’s only had a little to drink.
The film is directed by Udta Punjab director Abhishek Chaubey and tells the story of a ghazal singer, Musafir Ali, who as his name suggests, embarks on journeys. He meets a co-passenger in Aslam Baig, played by Gajraj Rao, who’s keen to make the connection he feels with the ghazal singer.
The crux of the film is about the passages of time, the sheer randomness of human disposition & the threads of destiny. The film is a standout amongst others thanks to its clever dialogue writing, its cinematography and Manoj Bajpayee’s acting chops.
Bahrupiya Review
Bahrupiya: PROMO
Starring Harshvardhan Kapoor, Bahrupiya – which means imposter – is about a self-obsessed actor trying to work on his imposter’s syndrome. He tries and fails and succeeds in this, all the while fighting against another force of nature – a self-proclaimed god-woman, ‘Didi’. Didi is an actor, wearing the mask of a god-woman, and enjoying the rewards of religious fanaticism of the people around her.
While the film’s cinematography is hazy, dreamy and warm, it doesn’t talk or show anything new that viewers may not have known. The character of Didi is a mix of Radhee Maa & Osho, but doesn’t quite capture the pretentious divinity or the philosophical aspects to either. The stellar in this story is Harshvardhan Kapoor – who majestically plays the character of charming albeit an arrogant & insecure actor.
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Forget me Not & Bahrupiya Review
Forget me Not: PROMO
Forget me Not and Bahrupiya are both directed by Srijit Mukherji and written by Siraj Ahmed. While Hungama Kyon… and Bahurupiya in the anthology have relatively balanced writing with female characters playing a role of significance, that doesn’t stand true for Forget me Not and Bahrupiya.
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Both the films show the frailties of men, their neurosis and how slowly and gradually, they lose their touch with the real world and transcend. Forget me Not stars Ali Fazal as Ipsit – a cold, manipulative and charming entrepreneur who can be considered a perfect Ayn Rand protagonist. Bahrupiya on the other hand stars Kay Kay Menon – who in the midst of the film may remind viewers of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. Bajpayee stars as Indrasheesh, a frail man who sets out to set the world straight with his skills in the prosthetics art.
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Both Fazal and Menon give stellar performances, with the latter channeling his inner Joker, but Siraj Ahmed’s lackluster writing doesn’t do justice to the actors and Mr. Satyajit Ray.
