Wednesday, October 27, 2004

By: Goher Iqbal Punn

Producer: Shree Venkatesh Films
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai, Anu Kapoor and Surekha Sikri

The below four lines depict the movie's theme altogether:

One rainy afternoon,
Six years later.......
Two estranged lovers met....
To play the game of words

Shree Venkatesh Films Raincoat focuses on two leading protagonists, Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai who pair up for the fourth time in this flick after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Hum Kissi Se Kam Nahin and Khakee. Director Rituparno Ghosh is directing his first Hindi movie this time around. Similarly, it is for the first time for Ajay Devgan that he is working with a Bengali director.

Raincoat tells the story of two people, Manoj (Ajay Devgan) and Niru (Aishwarya Rai), who live in the same village of Bihar. Love joins them together but the circumstances separate them one day.

The reels unfold with Manoj who is leaving his hometown for Kolkata in search of finance. With much hopes in pocket, he arrives in Kolkata. Manoj is certain that this city will get him out of his financial crisis. And a ray of hope to meet his beloved "Niru" (who is no longer his) also sends a sweet chill in his body.

 One rainy day in Kolkata, equipped with his friend's old raincoat, Manoj happens to meet his old love. Raincoat is a tale told in well-captured flashbacks and smooth transitions between past and present. Manoj and Niru's love endures despite circumstances, separation and helplessness.

Aishwarya Rai looks so simple in this movie and even her no-make-up look will make her more gorgeous on the celluloid. Ash's designer in most of her movies, Neeta Lulla has dolled her up for her outfits in Raincoat. The designer Anna Singh has given a perfect middle class look to Ajay Devgan in this film.

The supporting cast consists of Mouli Ganguly, Sameer Dharmadhikari, Anu Kapoor and Surekha Sikri. The script had been penned originally in Bengali by the director Rituparno Ghosh since Ghosh is not proficient in Hindi. Well known theatre personality, Usha Ganguly has translated it to Hindi.

Raincoat is scheduled to release on December 24

Raincoat - Stills

Aishwarya Rai - Gallery, Profile, Wallpaper

Ajay Devgan - Profile