Movie Review: Eight Down Toofaan Mail [2021]
52nd IFFI Review: Eight Down Toofaan Mail by Akriti Singh
Reviewed by Bodhisattya Pal
"I did not come here for just my property or palace; I came here to remind - who we are as people."
Probably the most original Indian movie I have seen in years! Eight Down Toofaan Mail, directed by Akriti Singh, tells a curious story of a woman landed at the New Delhi Railway station in 1974 claiming herself as the Queen of Awadh!
This movie is actually a period drama portraying the social and political aspect of independent India in the middle of the Railway Workers Strike during the Indira Gandhi era. An undertone of satire is always evident in this exceptional movie. We witness the birth, growth and evolution of a workers strike with the arrival and eventually departure of some uninvited guests at the North Delhi Railway Station waiting room. While the main focus was always on 'your royal highness', the audiences slowly dive into the life and politics of a struggling nation.
Eight Down Toofaan Mail delivered some powerful command on the heritability of colonialism and variability of homeland. It brought back the regret of the partition and asked serious questions on the equity of the nation. The director cum the lead actress, Akriti Singh achieved something unbelievable with this luminous work of art; creating an authentic work which tells more than its scope, is a mammoth work, but she did it masterfully.
If we talk about the technical aspects of this movie, the use of the retroish hue and pallet was brilliant. The camera was sharp too, covering a unique perspective. The incoherent protrayal of Indira Gandhi through the eye glasses and veil was remarkable. The cinematography, music and art design, all complemented each other to create some memorable cinematic moments.
The movie never explored the cause of the queen's arrival, it didn't served a backstory of her; rather it focused on the consequences of changes she brought and her effect on the thought process of different lives; from rikshawala, rail workers to the station master and the prime minister! Being poetic and surreal sometimes, or sentimental and satirical at places, Eight Down Toofaan Mail is ultimately a story of intimacy and exploration, which tells to seek the royalty, pride and sense of belonging within us. A rarest jewel of Indian movies. Stunning...
Practicing cinematic meditation amidst the chaos of the world! Currently studying B.Sc Agriculture in the Banaras Hindu University and trying to compose some scattered musical pieces.
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