Photograph (2019)

After being impressed by Ritesh Batra's Lunchbox and his style of cinema, I knew that this man is going to have something unique in his every movie. The movie stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra and Farrukh Jaffar in major roles. I don't think that the casting could have been better. One thing about the cast though -I personally found Jim Sarbh's role a little insignificant for an acclaimed actor like him. Regarding characters, Nawaz was not disappointing with his acting and did what he always does, an above average justice to his character. I consider Miloni's (Sanya Malhotra) character to be the best written amongst all and also well executed by her. The one actor who took her character on another level only with her acting was Farrukh Jaffar. It was a treat to watch her. Until her, I could never believe someone acting beside Nawaz subjugating him. If there has to be a single reason to watch this movie, it is her acting and her comic timing and dialogue delivery. The story doesn't droop on a classic romance, instead shows a story between a struggling road-side photographer and a CA student from an upper-middle class Gujarati family, two completely different worlds. The story shows how sometimes people can want only so much from life and yet that can be completely different for different people. Ritesh Batra is known for developing characters that are relatable to a mass somehow, and this time too, he created such character, Miloni. She is a soft-spoken, a yes-girl who has no opinions of her own, who is pulled from her dream of becoming an actor and peer pressured into doing CA. A lot out there, right? I also liked how smartly Batra ended the movie. Ben Kutchins did a great job with his cinematography showing beautifully the slums and the fast-running city together. Some stills from the movie were really outstanding. In all, this movie is not a Masala Romantic, but is appealing in its own way. There can be only two reasons to not have liked this movie. One, somehow the detailings to the characters were incomplete and second, the movie was bit slow at a few places. Had it not been compensated by exquisite acting, the movie wouldn't have turned out to be the way it did. Otherwise, I would recommend this movie to every cinema lover who understands Batra's poetic and eccentric film-making skill.

Fmovies: I really was hoping to meet Nawaz at the festival to discuss this with him :-p . Will have to wait for his next official selection here at Sundance I guess. But him not being here in Utah was covered by the quality of cinema that was produced by Ritesh here. It didn't leave an impact as strong as Lunchbox I thought, but was still a spectacle to watch. The reason I compare it to Lunchbox is also because the core of both the films seems to be originated from the same idea. But as this film progressed, it did find its own original voice. Since there wasnt anything spectacular in the story itself, the reason this film worked was the shear genius in screenplay. The detailing was insane in this one. The screenplay really allowed me to learn so much about the world and its characters in an organic way. The screenplay was augmented by some amazing cinematography skills that was used so well to describe the character motivations rather than merely putting up pixels on screen. The direction was amazing too which helped create some really intimate moments in the film. Another amazing aspect about this film was Sana's character. It had the same premise that Imtiaz tried to do with Jab Harry Met Sejal, but Ritesh was able to add so much depth to the character. The amazing behind the camera execution was also matched by spectacular acting on screen, especially by Nawaz and Sana. The only slight issue I had with the film was that the drunk scenes between the guys that felt a bit forced at times. But other than that, Photograph was an absolute treat to watch.

P.S. The ending was so thoughtful and beautiful too. It helped me stay with the film for the whole weekend. I really want to watch it again soon.

I would say the intention of director was good to make a movie as good as THE LUNCHBOX but director missed this time. It's still watchable but you will feel something is missing all the time. Some scenes are really too much like everyone is asking why dadi has stopped taking medicine and some more. Just watch it and don't expect much.

Photograph fmovies. This movie is the most peaceful I've ever witnessed and I'll ever witness. Must watch!

An intriguing movie, that keeps a viewer involved throughout making them guess about what's next. the appreciable part of the movie is the cinematography that has been successful for the execution of the masses of life in Mumbai. The life and expectations from life of a struggling street photographer to , the expectation a middle class female is expected to meet is laudably executed. the pace of the movie might bother the viewers expecting quicker events in the movie. but the charm of the movie is in its pace. the details it emphasizes on would make a viewer feel as if they are actually observing a real daily life conversation. the acting of both the leading actor is absolutely convincing but the justice has been done by Farrukh Jaffar as the grandmother of the lead Rafi (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) a lot more have been expected out of the movie after the trailer, let alone one might be convinced despite the expectation. This piece of art is worth a watch.

Photograph is the most Underrated movie of the year. You don't get to such kind of movies the delicateness and sensitivity of the movie is perfectly packed by Batra. Thank you