My Brother Nikhil -2005- SPARK DVD

My Brother Nikhil - DVD

Synopsis

Nikhil [Sanjay Suri] is the state-level swimming champion of Goa. He trained in the river, tamed the waves and ruled the pool. His father-cum-coach, Navin [Victor Bannerjee], has brought him up to be a sportsman and is proud of his son who has won a scholarship from the sports ministry.

His mother, Anita [Lillete Dubey], dotes on him and his elder sister, Anamika [Juhi Chawla], whom he calls Anu, is more of a friend to him.

Everything is perfect for the handsome, jovial and charming Nikhil. He is the idol of his peers and his friends love him. But all this changes one fine morning. On August 8, 1989, Nikhil is arrested.

MY BROTHER NIKHIL tells you the story of a man who suddenly falls from grace and is socially ostracized. His parents, friends and colleagues turn their backs on him. Suddenly, his whole world collapses. Nikhil is sent to a secluded hospital ward and kept in solitary confinement. Reason: He has tested HIV Positive.

Nikhil's father, who is unable to face social humiliation, abandons him. But Anu defies her parents and stands by her brother. Another person who stands by Nikhil during this difficult phase is his friend Nigel [Purab Kohli], his lover.

MY BROTHER NIKHIL is about a man's quest to achieve something in life… to be happy and to be loved. The story unfolds in Goa between the years 1987 and 1994.

An uncommon story ought to be narrated in the most distinct fashion and debutante director Onir does exactly that. In MY BROTHER NIKHIL, the characters introduce themselves to the viewer [as if they were being interviewed] and narrate the story of Nikhil, the protagonist, who is now dead.

Loosely based on Robert Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's documentary COMMON THREADS: STORIES FROM THE QUILT [1989], MY BROTHER NIKHIL confronts us with the reality of HIV/AIDS with simplicity and straightforwardness. The beauty of the film lies in the fact that the emotion builds up gradually and the layers slowly envelope and grip you.

For a film of this genre to strike a note, it ought to be embellished with compelling performances and a strong emotional quotient. And MY BROTHER NIKHIL is rich in both the departments.

Editor turned director Onir's execution of the subject is laudable. The narrative focuses on the HIV/AIDS issue and the relationships [father-son, brother-sister, gay lovers] without going overboard. One of its key accomplishments is that it clears the misconception that AIDS is a 'gay disease'. But the director scores distinction marks in the last twenty minutes of the enterprise. The emotional sequences are sure to melt even the stone-hearted and the finale, although tragic, talks of hope, not despair.

Cinematography [Arvind Kannabiran] is striking. The locales of Goa only accentuate the proceedings. Besides, the cinematographer has captured the gamut of emotions effectively. Music [Viveck Philip] is a mere gap-filler in a film like this. Dialogues [Amitabh Varma] are natural to the core.