An open letter to Shobha De’s views on Raanjhana !

Hi Shobha ji,

Your desperate attempt to bring spotlight to your not-so-read film reviews has worked. Several pro and anti tweets on your article in Mumbai Mirror, itched me to read your article in detail.

The article clearly suggests that you know very little about India, and especially about hinterlands of India. Sitting in Mumbai, when a Socialite comments on India, it sounds so wannabe. It reminds me of a dialogue from a movie “Bas itna sa khwab hai” in which Abhishek Bachchan is asked about his village, and he proudly says, that he is from Banaras, which is a City. And the Mumbaikars respond – “Mumbai ke bahar sab Gaaon !”

Well, as far as Raanjhanna goes, the movie depicts how life functions in hinterlands of India, and not about how it should be. Also, considering your urbane backdrop, you weren’t the target segment of the movie, to comment on it.

Raanjhanna is about true love muscled up by caste creed religion politics and social stigmas,including education and societal status. Movie talks about Dhanush’s love banaras style, and also Abhay Deol and Sonam’s love in metro style. So let not allow ourselves to comment so pragmatically on anybody’s cultural and educational background.

Although I would agree with your review about sluggish second half of the movie. But as you would also agree on Dhanush’s super acting, brilliant screenplay and Rehman’s score.