Like in political space, Kashmir continues to be underrepresented on celluloid. Director Rahat Kazmi has the right intentions to bring the complexity of Kashmir on the table. From the missing boys to the dilemmas of the security forces, Rahat has given a fair perspective of the dark situation. Not to forget the idealism of the youth and the misplaced bravado of a section of the media, Rahat provides space to factors hitherto unseen in films on Kashmir.
But the arguments are for seminars, in screenplays you have to fill them with emotions and here Rahat is found wanting. He takes a long time to come to the point but more than that, the period is not well spent. Describing Kashmir as the heaven on earth reeks of lack of imagination.
No doubt, Rahat touches different contours of the Kashmir problem but with the sensitivity of a quickly put together debate on a news channel. The banter among the policemen appears made up very much like the pace of the film which has been orchestrated on the editing table.
One gets a feeling that the young filmmaker has bitten more than he can chew. There is a greenhorn news reporter (Tia Bajpai) trying to figure out her argument on the Kashmir problem. Her friend (Furqan Merchant) aspire to be a part of the administration to fulfil his father’s wishes.
Then there is a guide who is hiding lot of thorns behind that rosy face. The three are picked up by the special task force and interrogated for their alleged links with militants. During the process, we discover that the law enforcers are not too different from the law breakers. Some have an agenda and others are simply casual in their approach but as the narrative progresses we discover that there is more to it than meets the eye.
Saurabh Shukla and Brijendra Kala as the junior level officers try to make the most of the material but it is Vipin Sharma who really shines as the officer with a corrugated conscience.
No such luck with the young players though.
Tia Bajpai fails to bring the urgency of the beleaguered reporter and Furqan remains a footnote amidst the seasoned support cast.
A stinging climax and the sprinkling of history of Kashmir in the end credits do make you sit up and take note but you have to be really generous to reach there.
Identity Card
Genre : Drama
Director : Rahat Kazmi
Cast: Tia Bajpai, Furqan Merchant, Saurabh Shukla, Vipin Sharma, Brijendra Kala, Raghubir Yada
Bottomline : Promises a mature debate on a vexed issue but is let down by the callow craft of the director.
