Meenaxi- Movie Review

"The heroine of the movie is of course, Meenaxi, played beautifully by the talented, ravishing and gorgeous actress Tabu. I must admit, that I never found her more beautiful in any of her earlier films than in this one."

"The other lead in the movie is played by the talented actor, Kunal Kapoor. Kunal is another mystery man for the author. "

I watched this movie two weeks ago and I downloaded it from a website. Since, then I have been watching it almost regularly whenever I get time. I don't know if I am addicted to this movie. But it seems that I have got addicted to it. Well, "Meenaxi" is pronounced actually as "Meenakshi". This movie has been directed by famous painter M.F. Hussain and it seems that he did an excellent job post his first flop "Gajagamini". Although, Meenaxi, too, bombed at the box office; it is an excellent film for any movie lover. If you wish to discover, the real Bollywood then Meenaxi is a must watch. Most bollywood lovers have not even taken a single glance at the movie considering the reputation of the maker. Mr. Hussain may have had a great reputation as a painter but his first flop got him a tag of a bad filmmaker. 

Unfortunately, most review writers did not bother to take a fair and square look at the movie. This made a wonderful creation get hidden in the darkness forever. But for me, the movie delivered the most colorful experience. Apart from the regular Bollywood masala movies, candy-floss movies and recent irritating romantic-comedies – Meenaxi offers a fresh thought wrapped in a fragrance of mystery, romance, reality and beauty.

Characters:

The heroine of the movie is of course, Meenaxi, played beautifully by the talented, ravishing and gorgeous actress Tabu. I must admit, that I never found her more beautiful in any of her earlier films than in this one. Tabu is at her best as she portrays the mystery woman who has charmed the author to death.

Nawab the second lead played by veteran actor Raghuveer Yadav is an author who is completely mesmerized by the beauty and essence of “Meenaxi”. Raghuveer Yadav comes across as the obvious choice for playing “Nawab”. His acting is obvious and effortless. He clearly conveys the confused, hypnotized, clumsy author who thinks about nothing other than his work.  As the story unfolds, we learn that Nawab is an absent-minded author who has been suffering from the writer’s block from the past five years.

The other lead in the movie is played by the handsome actor, Kunal Kapoor. Kunal is another mystery man for the author. A person whom he has met in life but has not had a clearly conversation with; Nawab imagines meeting him in person and discovers the real man who resides inside a rustic, arrogant, spoilt and non-serious motor mechanic as the movie progresses. Kunal kapoor plays two characters in the movie namely Kunal, the motor mechanic and Kameshwar Mathur, a thoughtful poet from Hyderabad who falls in love with the two characters played by Tabu; Meenaxi from Jaisalmer and Maria from Prague.  Kunal’s acting is remarkable as he effortlessly essays the rusty mechanic and the calm poet. He looks innocent and perfect for his characters. His acting for a debutant is far more polished. He successfully pulls sympathy for both his diametrically opposed characters. Kunal has got Arabic looks that make him look apt for the characters; secondly, his ease at performing makes him a site worth watching. Except for his dancing skills, Kunal Kapoor is an asset for Bollywood. 

Nadira Babbar plays aunt of the author and Kameshwar Mathur. She is cute, funny and authoritative. She essays a typical rich aunt who is kind and loving at the same time has authority in her mannerisms. 

The Plot:

“Meenaxi” is the name of the woman who resides in the mind of the famous author Nawab. Nawab is great at observing people. He has the name, “Meenaxi” on his mind as his sister’s friend happens to have it. This mystery woman is a face, situated in his mind. Her fragrance too, has made it’s place in the mind of the author. Meenaxi is a woman who has completely fascinated the author and he has her all over his mind.  She has become his point of reference. Having met her only for a short instance, Nawab consults her every time he gets stuck while understanding her character. Nawab seems to register everyone who he has met even for a short instance in his life; like a true author, all those people and things take shape in his story.

Nawab meets Meenaxi at his sister’s wedding and next day she comes at his residence. She asks him to write her story and promises that she will not interfere in his work.  Nawab meets a rowdy motor mechanic when he goes to repair his car. Nawab discovers that this rowdy motor mechanic loves to sing but has suppressed his passion and hence, is frustrated.  He decides to make him a hero of his story.

Nawab tells Meenaxi that in his story she is a princess from Jaisalmer who falls in love with a poet from Hyderabad. Meenaxi from Jaisalmer is a strong beautiful woman who trusts her intuition for better judgment. She is working for making people aware about the water problem in Jaisalmer. She has long been alone, her only companion being her jeep. Unknowingly she longs for a companion or a partner which she finds in the nephew of her uncle’s friend. Kameshwar Mathur, has come from Hyderabad to reside with his aunt and uncle. He belongs to a decent family and is a professional poet. Kameshwar is an extremely polite, well-mannered boy who follows his heart to make choices. He easily falls in love with the mysteriously beautiful princess.  The lonely girl decides to go against the wish of  her uncle and marry the young poet. At that time, the hyderabadi Meenaxi wakes up the author and burns the pages of the story. However, in reality due to the writer’s block and uncertainty of understanding the characters of both the girl and the boy; the story ends without an end. 

The author starts to rediscover his characters and meets the motor mechanic again after six months. He advises him to become a singer. The young mechanic pours his heart in front of the author yet not telling him his name. After the author leaves, the young man goes through a transformation when he sees himself in the brothel with a bottle of liquor in his hand.

The author, now, confident about the character of his hero writes another story putting his heroine in the city of Prague. Maria works as a waitress on a ship and is a full-time actress in a theatre. She too is lonely but more expressive than the Meenaxi from Jaisalmer. This character is much closer to the girl from Hyderabad.  Now, the author feels that he has come very close to knowing his heroine. He makes her meet her hero, Kameshwar Mathur. They both fall in love. Eventually, they conquer the heights of love. Just like Meenaxi from Jaisalmer, Maria is an orphan whose companion is her bicycle on which she doesn’t ride. She is also an independent woman but more free spirited than her previous avatar.  After Maria has loved and is loved, the writer stops his pen.

The character of Meenaxi is now beyond his reach and will not walk on his given line. She comes out of the book leaving the author gasping for breath. On the other hand, the author’s hero has decided to walk the path of the author’s choice. The motor mechanic has now decided to become a singer and lead a decent life. His character is completed and so he reveals his name to be “Kunal”. While the author still gasping for breath now succumbs to death with Meenaxi sitting besides his head. The next day the author’s sister accompanied by his aunt comes to visit him.  They find the author dead. In some seconds, he comes back to life and finds himself at his sister’s wedding following a lady in a white sharara (a traditional outfit). She turns back and to his surprise it is not “Meenaxi” as he had presumed. For an instance, Nawab had imagined everything from meeting her, talking with her and even writing her story. It was all in his mind while he was actually still standing at his sister’s wedding.

Nawabs sister comes near her brother to have talk, just when, he sees a woman wearing a white sharara (a traditional outfit). Nawab follows her and she turns back. Nawab is awestruck. Once again, he asks this woman her name and she replies, “Meenaxi”. Thus, the process of discovery begins once again.

Conclusion:

The movie is a must watch especially for those who love to read and write. The movie is also for those who love bright colours, romance and everything that is beautiful in this world. Meenaxi takes us away from the gloominess of the everyday world while still highlighting the beauty of our everyday life. The tale revolves around three cities; Hyderabad, Jaisalmer and Prague. I found Jaisalmer the most beautiful followed by Hyderabad. Cinematography and art direction of the movie is beyond excellence. The movie captures minute details of everyday life adding beauty, humour and romance to the story.  Watch it, you will not regret it!!

My rating: 

9.5/10

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