There's a car, and in that car sit the people you cherish most. They are happy, happier than you've ever seen them and that makes you happy too. The car is sailing smoothly down a road at night and there are enough streetlights to guide your way, but up ahead, slightly in front of you there are no more lights. There's darkness. You know someone should be keeping an eye on the road but you are all so happy. Your heart fills with foreboding but you cant seem to tear yourself away from the beautiful moment you are presently residing in even though you know something dreadful is on its way, you dont want to think about it. Imagine this and you will know how it feels to watch STANLEY KA DABBA(SKD).
SKD is one of those rare movies that manages to pull all the right heartstrings. It has just the right amount of sugar and spice and though far from perfect it has enough class to prove once again that Indian cinema can go way beyond cliched love stories if it wants to. SKD is a delightfully told story of, you guessed it, Stanley, an innocent little boy of class 4-F who revels in telling the world stories, especially about his mother. He has a motley group of friends each with his own special charm and individuality, and dont be surprised if halfway through the movie you start replacing their faces with those of your childhood friends. They way SKD goes about, its hard not to get nostalgic. Remember those young school days when we used to run around in shorts and the best time of the day was recess? When we used to fight over petty things like whose half of the desk the others hand is? Or the teachers with their own pecularities, some we loved (Miss Rosy) and some we just hated (Mr. Verma)? I dont know about you but i found it extremely difficult not to end up putting a face to almost every character in the movie. That's how simple and well thought out every character was and it helps that acting was superb, whether it be the kids, the teachers or the priest. Oh well, not the priest, he just looks like he stepped out of a modelling catalog and jumped into a white robe. :P
Ironically enough Stanley is the only kid in the classroom without a dabba. There's a story behind it but i wont reveal that. It would suffice to say, you know from the start that there is something wrong but given the cheerful paths the movie takes, you keep trying to push that thought out of your mind. Divya Dutta does a wonderful turn as the lovable english teacher, Miss Rosy, and Amole Gupte (you know, Bhope Bhau from Kaminey!!) is equally wonderful as the food-crazy hindi teacher out to terrorize an entire generation of students. His character is at times a bit unbelievable but he makes the best out of it. Stanley(Paartho) at his best is completely lovable and it his worst is still equally lovable.
This is a must watch for everyone who still remembers those days of carefree running around, its a movie that brings a smile to the inner child and at the same time there is a dark undertone that reminds us to be thankful for the good fortunes we have. Its not Oscar Winning material but for sheer charm and a wonderful moral i'll have to say it ranks right up there with movies like Taare Zameen Par.
Give it a try, Have a smile.
VERDICT: LIKE
