Filim review: My brother Nikhil

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

The producers of the film " My brother Nikhil " had a private screening of their

film in Dimple theatre, mumbai, this evening. I had the chance of viewing the

film and here is my review ( or is it preview ?) of the film ( for whatever it

is worth )

The film has been bought by Yashraj Films for distribution and will be in the

cinema halls soon.

My brother Nikhil – A Brave Effort

If “Phir Milenge” was the beginning, with “My Brother Nikhil” Indian cinema has

finally arrived as an industy that has matured, grown up and is capable of

handling sensitive and taboo subjects and give them a rare dignity.

Phir Milenge was the story of Tamanna Sawhney who tests HIV positive and My

brother Nikhil is the story of Anupama’s (Juhi Chawla) brother Nikhil who is HIV

positive. The similarity between the two films end there.

My brother Nikhil is an effort to bring to light taboo issues that our society

refuses to address. A major chunk of the story is set in 1980’s when no one

spoke about HIV but anybody who tested HIV positive had AIDS ! The films made

in hindi language talks about growing up gay in Goa, about not being able to

come out to family or friends, about struggling to avoid marriage with a woman

for Nikhil is gay and in love with another man, about discrimination faced from

the society when his HIV status is leaked out , about ancient discriminatory

laws that quarantine Nikhil to a sanatorium for three months, about the struggle

to get him out and how in the process people close to Nikhil start working for

the cause of HIV positive people. The most amazing part of the script is that

the director brings out all these issues without even having use the word “gay “

or “activist” which is major triumph for a debutant director.

What lends credence to the film are performances from its entire cast. Victor

Banerjee as Nikhil’s father, a man who is hell bent upon making a “MAN” out of

his son, an absolute no nonsense person who eventually breaks down before a

submissive wife scores high honours for coming across as a dad whom Nikhil loved

and was his role model and no one would disagree with it. Lillette Dubey as

Nikhil’s mother is in full form once again and though one wondered why she never

took a stand despite being a submissive wife comes out with a performances that

she will be proud of. Gautam Kapoor plays Sam,Anupama’s fiancée and looks a

little ill at ease playing the usual understanding lover. His is one character

that gives you the feeling that the scriptwriter took for granted. A special

mention should be made about Shweta Kwatra as lawyer Anjali who fights for

Nikhil and his rights to live like any other normal human being.

My brother Nikhil is a major triumph for three actors. Purab Kohli as Nigel

playing Nikhil’s lover has worked extremely hard on his character giving it the

right mix of a gay man who is androgynous and comfortable with his sexuality and

is fighting for his right place in his lover’s life and as an actor has been

successful in his effort. Juhi Chawla as Anupama playing Nikhil’s sister and

soul mate delivers a knock out performance and lightens up the screen by her

sheer presence. Eventually “My brother Nikhil” is a showcase of talent for

Sanjay Suri who plays Nikhil, a man who is not comfortable with his sexuality

but not willing to give up his relationship with Nigel, an ordinary man who is

charming, witty, affable, irritable , angry, sad, grief stricken about his HIV

status but continues to fight and live life and Sanjay does all of it with such

rare ease and comfort like he was not an actor but “Nikhil” himself and he is

one of biggest scoring points of the film.

The film has one song sung in various situations by Shaan, KK and Sunidhi and

adds to the mood but the film eventually belongs to debutant director “Onir” for

showing courage in taking up a subject and not compromising on it. The film

presented through various characters who were closely associated with Nikhil

represent the view point of a director who has arrived with his very first film.

The film is due for commercial release in another month or two and not to be

missed.

with best wishes to the entire team of " My brother Nikhil "

Vivek

E-mail: avivekr@...