Mumbai Diaries is a film unlike any other I have seen before. Aptly titled, the film takes a day-by-day account of the lives of very different types of people in the megalopolis, representing its vast socioeconomic spectrum. Each individual person has their own unique story, and they have all been presented with perfection. All four characters have been developed wonderfully.
I particularly enjoyed the wife's video-letters. They clearly illustrate how the large city's loneliness and depression, slowly engulfed and took over her life. Starting with being startled (symbolized by the expensive bangles) and loneliness (celebrating her birthday alone), to dejection (sharing her sorrows with the sea) and wiping away of her identity and liveliness (washing of her name on the beach), and to finally engulfing of her soul (Ganesha submersion).
Eye-catching imagery, an unmistakable trait of a true artist, speaks millions to the audience. For example, a simple image of the broken ceiling fan wire in Aamir's apartment creates horror when he realizes why it has broken. His neighbor, the old lady who never reacts, foreshadows the wife's doom and what the city has in store for her. Her brief glance at Aamir when he starts crying in front of her signals that the city has initiated him. The photographer's finespun single tear towards the end reveals her realization for Prateik's love and her becoming overcome with guilt for possibly leading him on. Prateik's hesitation in kissing and his sliding down the handrail in the subway, while his cousin was on the phone, displays his innocent, naive love. The casting person who pauses only at Prateik's shirtless photo hints at Mumbai's shallowness.
I first had doubts on Prateik's ability to do a convincing job of a dhobi, but he has given an amazing performance and has done full justice to his role. The American girl also was superb and had a very authentic accent, perfect for her role.
Devoid of any melodrama or showcasing, this movie uses subtle, realistic imagery to develop its characters and to narrate their everyday yet captivating stories.
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