Bombay is an award-winning Tamil film by director Mani Ratman. The film takes place in Bombay, India during the time of the 1992 and 1993 Hindu / Muslim riots . This film deals with many provocative subjects : such as Religious prejudice and the violent conflict between Muslim and Hindu in India.
Shekhar (Arvind Swamy) is a Hindu . He is young and educated and has a job working in the newspaper in Bombay. Shekhar has no interest in an arranged marriage and intends to leave the village for Bombay permanently. One day, he spots Shaila Bano (Manisha Koirala) a Muslim girl, just as her black veil is lifted by the wind, momentarily revealing her face. This small glimpse is enough for him. Shekhar is instantly in love with the beautiful young Shaila. He pursues her and she is very hesitant because of the religious differences between Hindu and Muslim. Although she is reluctant , Shailia too is in love . Shekhar and Shaila are deeply in love and cannot live without one anothe .
When Shekhar informs Shaila Bano's father that he intends to marry her, Shaila Bano's father informs Shekhar that he intends to hack him to pieces with his machete first. He even intends to have an emergency wedding to another Muslim arranged . When Shekhar informs his own father that he intends to marry Shaila, his own father proclaims, "Over my dead body!" Interestingly, the fathers are mirrors of each other: they wear their religion in obvious and explicit ways, and they both guilt trip their children in similar fashion. But their love cant be contained or controlled.
The two then rush to get married and move to the heart of Bombay. Although Shaila Bano is initially uncomfortable in her new surroundings, their marriage slowly warms and becomes happy. The two are very much in love with each other. Eventually, Shaila Bano becomes pregnant , the news is met with more animosity from their fathers. Both wanting the children to be raised their religion. Shaila has twins Kabir Narayan and Kamal Basheer who will be raised both Muslim and Hindu.
The grandparents eventually warm up to the idea of Shaila and Shekhars family and visit the them after six years in Bombay together. Shaila has a very emotional meeting with her mother who she has missed so much. The grandparents are overjoyed about their grandchildren and everything seems to be falling into place for the family.
During this time ,religious extremists launch each community against the other, causing a wave of riots that leave hundreds dead in Bombay. With their sons of both cultures Shekur and Shailia are terrified for their children s safety. Both Grandparents die during the violence and the twins become lost in Bombay. Shekhar and Shaila eventually get their children back, and also put an end to the riot.
The central theme of Bombay Is the religious prejudice that Shalia and Shekhar face. In their respective religions it is considered to be taboo for a person to marry an outsider. The reason for this is the differences in religious beliefs and culture. Aspects of theme lead to another area that Ratman wanted to touch on which were the Bombay Riots of 1992 and 1993, which take place in the third act of the film.
This theme carries throughout the film into the second act where Hindus and Muslims are at war with one another on the streets. I feel in Shalia and Shekura relationship, Ratman wanted to show the possibility of change in this divide of Indian culture. Both sets of Grandparents showed great prejudice and reluctance to their children’s relationship. They two are brought together with the birth of their grandchildren who are both Hindu and Muslim. This film exemplifies the tenderness that a both families can demonstrate out of love, even when there is the biggest bridge between the two. In a way the parents of Shalia and Shekar couldn’t help but to try to protect their children, because they knew the hardships and prejudice they would face as a couple. Even through years of divide and the prejudice against one another both parties come together for their children and grandchildren. In the film, as the hatred tears violently through the streets of Bombay, a good-natured and humorous conversation between Shekhar's father and Shaila Banu's is taking place. Also when the destruction and violence is a its peak Shekhar's father risks his life to save the other man's Koran.
The main thing that Ratman was trying to communicate is that there is room for peace , tolerance and understanding. This goes way beyond Hindu and Muslim ideals, this theme could be interpreted and applied in any couture. There are cultural and relgious divides everywhere in the world, but as long as we all respect each other , there could be peace. Towards the end of the film where Shekura is frantically looking for his two sons , he begins to yell and a Muslim and a Hindu saying we are Indian and we are the same.
As we began to watch Bombay I felt that it wouldn’t be a film that I would enjoy. I felt it would be everything I have heard about Bollywood cinema, a lot of dancing, signing, and a very slow pace .To my surprise I really enjoyed this film. It was an engaging story told skillfully with an outstanding soundtrack by A.R. Rahman and stunning performances by its principal cast. I immediately connected and cared for the characters more so than some of the other films we have viewed in class. I enjoyed seeing Shekur and Shailia toghther , the two actors really made belive their relationship and love for one another.
I also like Ratman’s choice of casting of the two. Shekur looked like an ordinary man but his emotions throughout the film were very appealing. He stood up for what he believed in and fought for his wife and family throughtout the film and was a great hero for the film. Seeing him run after the men trying to burn his children during the riots, I feel every viewer was cheering him on . That was one of the most intense scenes I’ve seen in a while Shaila was gorgeous and was very impressive in her acting ability. The scene when her mother showed up at her doorstep was very emotional and believable.
Overall this was a great film and it opened my eyes to a new genre. One of the best films we have viewed in my opinion.
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