Mohar Basu, TNN, Dec 11, 2015,
CRITIC'S RATING:
AVG READERS' RATING:
CAST:Maanuv Bharadwaj, Priyanka Panchaal, Mann Bagga, Simran Deep, Nirmal Pant, Simran Deep Kaur
DIRECTION:Mahesh Bhatt
GENRE:Drama
DURATION:1 hour 57 minutes
STORY: 13 deaf children embark upon a thrilling mountaineering expedition and emerge as heroes.
REVIEW: It is a wonderful concept that attempts to portray differently-abled children in an empowering light. The theme lends itself to a few overwhelming moments. But they are in short supply. The Silent Heroes is a perfect example of how being myopic can play down noble intentions.
DIRECTION:Mahesh Bhatt
GENRE:Drama
DURATION:1 hour 57 minutes
STORY: 13 deaf children embark upon a thrilling mountaineering expedition and emerge as heroes.
REVIEW: It is a wonderful concept that attempts to portray differently-abled children in an empowering light. The theme lends itself to a few overwhelming moments. But they are in short supply. The Silent Heroes is a perfect example of how being myopic can play down noble intentions.
As the story revolves around its 13 mute artistes, we are constantly shown how people are hostile to them. This villainous vein looks like a gimmick. The film also should've ideally avoided playing the sympathy card from the first frame. It shows how as a society our psyche forces us to pity the underprivileged. Characters who emphatically reprimand people for referring to them as disabled try to even out the flaws but don't quite manage it. Also, it is a shame that we are told nothing about our 'heroes'. The 13 children are an amorphous mass and there is no effort to portray them as individuals with distinct identities and unique struggles.
The film's story shows promise but its tawdry execution is a problem. It is unpardonable that the actors in this film are either overacting or sleepwalking through their roles. Thankfully its leads - Maanuv Bharadwaj and Priyanka Panchaal are watchable but the same doesn't stand true for the other actors who reduce their characters to caricatures.
The technical drawbacks and logic lapses further weakens in the narrative. After an accident, an orthopedist is seen examining the patient's lungs. Clearly, this is the kind of laziness that hinders this film from making an impact. Additionally, the film's tone is too flat and though enough drama unfolds on screen, it never really touches you.
The victory of the underdog is cinema's favourite theme and filmmakers return to romance it rather frequently. But the formula is done-to-death and it is mandatory that writers show their inventive streak in rendering it. It is hard to not lament over how lack of finesse killed a sturdy concept.
1.The film is the story of 13 real deaf children on a mountaineering expedition to fulfill their dreams.
2.Producer Mahesh Bhatt said that with this film, he wanted to show people that they are not helpless or a burden for the society. What prompted him to name the film as 'The Silent Heroes' is the feeling that being silent is not an impediment for the deaf people and they are still heroes.
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