Being Cyrus-360P

Being Cyrus-360P

This unusual dark comedy inter laced with elements of thriller is one of the best movie which have come out of India. Its a debut film for Homi Adajania, but the work that he has done is commendable. This film will definitely bring honor to India, not because it has been appreciated in film festivals abroad, but this is a real interesting film. Saif, Naseer, Dimple, Boman and the rest of the cast are just mind blowing. its a must watch for the lovers of unusual films. It can not be classified in to the regular genres like crossover, offbeat, different...its so much on the lines of a commercial song less thriller with comedy...but at the same time it has an international styling, great art direction and real good cinematography, not to mention the great performances. Its releasing in India on 24th March, 2006...its a must watch.

Though I'm from India, I saw Being Cyrus in New york while visiting there. I cannot believe that this is the director's first film?? It is so different from anything I have seen in India. The film is intriguing, simple and yet so complex, and very bold for a débutant filmmaker. One thing that you really appreciated from Being Cyrus is the originality. Originality in the way it's made reveals the unjaded imagination of this talented newcomer. The acting in the film is believable for a change, in spite of the characters being so bizarre. It is obvious that the actors are enjoying living their characters. And if there ever was a term like it, this is new-age cinema (for us at least)! I am so excited that it is releasing in India in March. Can't wait to watch it again. Really love the poster as well.

Being Cyrus treads a dangerously fine line between darkness and humour, something never seen before in Indian cinema. Great film noir rarely gets better than this. It exploits the seedy local milieu through unusual locations around Mumbai and decaying Parsi household interiors, which are used to enhance the ambiance. This gives the film a strikingly distinctive look. The script is terrific. The characterizations and performances are superb. The nasty narration and dialogues in Indian English add to the fun. The climactic twist is most unexpected. This is definitely world class cinema, which should appeal to intelligent audiences everywhere. Strongly recommended!

I have always seen Saif Ali Khan as one of the most talented stars of Indian cinema. He is one of the actors who underwent enormous transformation in his career, and is today one of the rare entities in Bollywood who have style with even more substance. Being Cyrus is not his best performance till date. And yet, it will probably always be remembered as one of his memorable roles because of the dark shades to his character. The movie boasts of an incredible line of greats from Indian cinema, and a pretty good storyline. I will refrain from making any reference to the storyline since it is bound to give away something about the movie. Overall, an enjoyable movie and something that you will probably want to watch more than once!

What an amazing well made movie! The movie actually does have a very complex plot both Physiologically and sociologically but Homi's Direction make the movie simple to understand and a pleasure to watch! I say complex Physiologically because it is, It takes you just enough into the depths of the minds of these two characters, namely Cyrus and Tina to make you understand that something is not right and the thrilling end explains it all. Sociologically because we see and hear about such things that happen to old people like Fardoonji on a daily basis in all communities and races in India and abroad (namely Mistreatment of older folks and sometimes even murder.) The Movie spends just enough time on all the aspects and issues which make it so interesting to watch. It touches upon the Idiosyncrasies of the Parsi Community, (but this could relate too and be true for any community as such) the dysfunctional family of the Sethna's and then delves into the psychology of two young kids messed up by years of abuse, all while keeping within the boundaries of traditional "Bawa" Humour! Kudos to all of the stars as well, Saif Does an outstanding job with "Being Cyrus" and could very well be made an Honorary Bawa now. Dimple Kapadia and Nasrueidin Shah are absolutely brilliant and deserve to be nominated for some award, I don't care pick an award, ANY award! On the whole, a brilliant and well made movie, AWESOME JOB HOMI! You know industry insiders touted M.Night Shamalyan as the next Steven Spielberg in the US after the 6th sense! I think, if Homi Adjanina keeps up this trend he would definitely be the next Steven Spielberg of India!!! Bravo to this young Director!!!!!

Well, guys bar is getting higher with each such movie, each new-comer bend on out-beating the last one; more importantly film-watchers are getting more intelligent, with better film sense; so you filmmakers of yester-years better watch out and get serious on film-making, else there won't be much of masses left in few more years to tolerate all the crap you have been feeding them. 10 years ago, no one would have even believed bollywood to be capable to come up with such a movie (or may i say even 5 years). Last few years have been a revelation for the Indian cinema. it has come up with lot of experimental ideas - some of the most novel ideas ever presented. Parallel cinema is getting closer to the commercial cinema - i am waiting for the day, when there won't even exist terms like that. Multiplexes in India are lot to credit for that, giving opportunity to creativity, which have been able to create a niche of such audience, who support these movies. Now you Indians can recommend your non-Indian friends with a bollywood movie. A 90 minutes movie, in English, with no songs, not an iota of emotions being presented (in whatsoever relation possible between the characters - well this is, I would say even worse than reality). I won't rate it as an all time great movie, but definitely its nice, well made and deserves at least a one time watch. Well, when you pick such power-packed performers in one movie, you have fair chances of getting it all right (unless you overdo your characters) and you are definitely gonna come with an "above-average" movie. In all it must take a lot of guts for the first time director to execute such a different idea and that too while working with such a great performers - undoubtedly, some of the best in the Indian cinema. The plot has been very good and very well executed, with suspense hanging in there right till the end.. moods swinging serious to comedy ... black comedy to say the least, exploring the various human relations... I would not delve into more details of the movie, lest it costs into divulging the suspense of movie, but watchers be better ready for shock at the turn of events in the movie, when some seemingly unassuming characters reveal their true faces and others with dark side get even more darker.. totally unpredictable movie. Dubutante director has given a stellar performance, he himself must had had a hell of time dealing with expectations of such great actors. Saif Ali Khan need not prove himself anymore, he had played so many versatile roles in last few years. The guy is getting better with each performance and he is one of the most reliable and bankable actors. In his generation, except Aamir Khan, he gives run for money to all others in bollywood. Naseer plays a sculptor, who now lives in obscurity, is hooked more to pot than anything else, spends his life along with his all day hallucinations. Dimple Kapadia is quite convincing in her slutty wife role. Boman Irani, the only parsi in real life is also the most convincing of all. Rest of the crew is also pretty good.

First few reels gives you an impression of a documentary giving an insight into a Parsi life. ¤ Naseeruddin Shah:: We little mortals have no authority to question/ doubt/ comment on his body of work. Simply put - the act of the dreamer at its best. ¤ Saif Ali Khan: Just what the doctor ordered. Nobody could have fitted the role like "hand-in-glove" as Saif did. ¤ Dimple Kapadia: The "come-hither-passes" are neatly done, not a hint of slightest crass in it. ¤ Boman Irani: If you loved him in "Munnabhai MBBS", you will hate him in this one. The word "Pappah!" will ring in your ears. Simply put – he gets into the skin of the character. ¤ Simone Singh: "Miss-Goody-Two-Shoes" act done perfectly. ¤ Honey Chayya: Man, even his performance is so very genuine that you feel pity for "Fardounjee". Pay attention to the subtle nuances. ¤ Manoj Pahwa:: Luckily doesn't go OTT but still slightly loud. A lot of effort has been put in pre-production which is visible in the witty script, tight screenplay, camera handling, dark toned look of the movie and the way the story unfolds/ narrated. And yes, the last 20-minutes sweeps your feet away. Where are you hiding Homi Adajania, roll on!

As you saunter into the movie hall and look on as the lights go off and the show begins, you begin to wonder if "Being Cyrus" is like those numerous clichéd bollywood style Hindi-English films a la Bollywood Hollywood, Bollywood Calling etc. Also who in this world is Homi Adjanaia? and how did he manage to pull off an ensemble cast with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah and Boman Irani not to mention the uber cool Saif Ali Khan for his debut film. The answer is all for us to see--"Being Cyrus" is a smashingly well crafted original film (So rare in India these days) that it leaves you wondering if Homi Adjania is really a first time director? The story moves back and forth between Panchgani and Mumbai essentially revolving around the lives and times of the not so normal, upper middle class Sethna Family and what happens when Cyrus Mistry (Saif Ali Khan) comes into it. Dinshaw Sethna (Naseeruddin Shah) is a pot head sculptor, perennially high on grass running a pottery school in Panchgani. He lives with his bollywood obsessed, chatterbox wife Katy (Dimple Kapadia). Cyrus joins as an apprentice to Dinshaw and becomes embroiled in a maze of complex relationships that involve Dineshaw's father Fardonjee Sethna(Honey Chayya), brother Farokh(Boman Irani) and sister in law Tina(Simone Singh). Right from the first frame, this dark thriller engrosses the viewer in its many complex layers which are difficult to fathom at times. The entire film being in English has a lot of the lines cocooned in black humor may be over head transmission, but nevertheless are in line with the story and have a hammer strong impact if actually dissected and understood. The movie juxtaposes the protagonist (Cyrus)'s own story with the story of the Sethnas and this is where the movie hits a complete high. The editing is razor sharp and the bravura cinematography captures the Parsi household perfectly, whether it is the old building that Fardonjee owns in Bombay or the Panchgani house of Dinshaw. Adjania shows a careful eye for detail while reflecting the times of a typical Parsi family living in Mumbai. Boman Irani's white on white dress, his impeccably maintained vintage car, the wedding shot lend a feel of authenticity to the Parsi setup.Manoj Pahwa brings the house down with his high on testosterone, high on fat brash Inspector Maninder Lovely. Naseeruddin Shah is apt for the role of the grass smoking lost in life artist. Dimple, sometimes over the top, nevertheless comes up with an effective portrayal of her Katy. Saif Ali Khan is subtly nuanced and gets under the skin of Cyrus quite intensely. Honey Chayya and Simone Singh are effective in their parts as Fardonjee and Tina Sethna. The scene stealer however is Boman Irani's Farokh Sethna. Boman brings out the cocky wickedness of Farokh quite magnificently that you hate him instantly. Be it the fight with the neighbor over a dog , or the appointment with the physiotherapist or his interactions with Fardonjee, Boman is a treat. Watch the film setting aside all mindsets, its a brilliant film.