Anumati - Review by Renu Mahajan

The Sixth Annual Hidden Gems Film Festival kicked off with Anumati (Assent) by Director Gajendra Ahire. Veteran Actor Vikram Gokhale plays the lead role in the film as Ratnakar Pathare who is dealing with inner turmoil whether to sign the Do not Resuscitate form for his comatose wife played by Neena Kulkarni, or not. The hope to see her come out of the coma sends him on a wild goose chase to find money any which way he can. He is ready to sell his house for pittance. He goes to his daughter who manages to give him little she can, goes to his brother who cheats him out of his inheritance and also to his old college friend played by Rima Lagoo. Vikram Gokhale’s acting skills are commendable and moves you until you can feel the anger, the pain and his helplessness. He won National Film award for his riveting performance. The rain drenched backdrop and melancholy and haunting musical score adds to the elements of pathos in the story.

Dozakh - In Search of Heaven - Review by Renu Mahajan

 

On May 23rd Hidden Gems showcased Dozakh-in search of Heaven. Writer, Director and Producer Zaigham Imam has truly created one of the best films on religious tolerance. The actor and co-producer Pawan Tiwari has brought the character of the Muslim cleric alive and real on the screen. The innocent son of the cleric does not comprehend the intolerance of religion and is fascinated by the colorful stories weaved by the Hindu priest and his own school teacher, thus going against his father. It is a simple slow moving film that highlights the relationship between the two neighboring religious communities through the antics of the little boy of the Cleric. This film is bound to touch deeply and shake up the psyche of people intolerant toward other religions.