This is an Indian film in the mode of the now-defunct 'parallel' cinema. One of my favorite actors, Nana Patekar, plays against 'type' (read: his most famous roles, where he is invariably angry, hot-headed & explosive) as a soft-spoken, easy-going, yet jaded writer at odds with the world around him. Good performances also from Rekha & Dipti Naval, in this thought-provoking and intelligent film. An interesting script & understated direction mark the film as a literate, intellectually superior film. It only falters in the last quarter with a development that seems needless (and at odds with the lead character's personality & ideas), and I personally could have done without the musical numbers (fewer and in an entirely different vein than the usual Bollywood song- and-dance numbers, but still sort of disposable) even if they are plot-specific. A refreshingly different & subtle film from an industry that is known more for its formulaic & bombastic entertainment. Not quite a classic, but a damned good attempt anyway. I couldn't help wondering how a filmmaker like Gulzar might have handled the story.