An experimental portrayal of patriarchy in India
The film depicts an eventful year in the life of Old Delhi’s Bazaar Sitaram.
Neena Gupta shines in this film as a young woman exploring her culture and community, while also falling in love for the first time. Long by short film standards, ‘Bazaar Sitaram’ has a fascinating form that defies easy categorization. Gupta’s charming narration ties it together into a deeply personal, coming-of-age story about love and betrayal.
The film begins like a conventional documentary with Neena Gupta’s pleasant voice-over introducing Bazaar Sitaram, her neighbourhood in Old Delhi. Over the course of the film, we learn about the history of the place along with its language, music, art, architecture, food, rituals and festivals. Despite spending a lot of time on exposition, the story stays engaging due to the novelty of the location and a well-written script. About six minutes into the film, Gupta finally appears on screen while still maintaining a non-fiction storytelling style. It is only at about 11 minutes that the form changes into more of a fictional treatment. The camera begins to look beyond the external. It is now able to capture private moments and emotional reactions. And thus begins the story of young love in all its naïve glory.
The setting of the film is rich in character and the unique flavour of Old Delhi has been exploited to its full potential. While the neighbourhood is densely populated and seemingly impenetrable for the outsider, the residents have no choice but to live in very close proximity. The lack of space makes them look skyward – with popular pastimes like kabootarbaazi or pigeons cradling and kite flying. The physical proximity also makes falling in love inevitable.
‘Bazaar Sitaram’ is a spirited film and a joy to watch.
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Surbhi Dewan, Curator at ViewFinder, Saachibaat.com |
