Movies are a topic which I have avoided till now for the fear of digression. The silver screen fascinates me in a way that is comparable to the celestial bliss experienced when watching Sachin Tendulkar in action. But something about movies tilts the balance in their favour. I do not remember how many times I have walked away from the T.V. before Sachin completes his innings but I do know that I have never left the cinema hall before the end of a movie. And just like S.R.Tendulkar tries to learn from each of his dismissals, I try to concieve something from every film I watch, which may not necessarily be a moral lesson.
Then came 7 Khoon Maaf. Stumped, surprised and muddled. Without the presence of a certain Swinburn Miranda, I would not have been able to make any sense about the movie and like a newspaper reviewer would rate the movie as ‘too abstract for my understanding’. However, my respect for Vishal Bhardwaj as a film-maker kept on pricking me. I would often try to connect the dots but was not able to form any meaningful picture. Something had to give and then, it struck me.
I could have comprehended this even before watching the movie.It was there, laid bare to be grasped in the title itself. ‘ 7 Khoon Maaf’ rung a bell and my regard for Vishal Bhardwaj was elevated. Perhaps I was so lost in the literal understanding of the climax that I had not given thought to the allegorical interpretation of the entire movie.
Sahib, here, represents a human or more so a normal human with a tendency to commit mistakes. And mistakes is what she commits in the form of indulging herself in love and marrying the man to prolong the affection. But as quickly as she loses her heart to someone, Sahib realises that she has been erroneous. Taking lessons from her previous ungratifying experience, she falls again but this time for a man very different from the one before. Eventually, Sahib gives up on her hedonism.
Her romanticism and indifference to murdering a man are only part of the literal story and that is why not given much importance.The variety of men she is involved with, which is significant, is very well depicted.The men with very contrasting qualities represent a ‘distinct‘ mistake committed by Sahib each time. And that is where the allegory oozes out. As human beings, committing a mistake should not be shameful but not learning from one should be. A teacher of mine once said, “You should not be afraid to make mistakes, as long as you make a new one every time.” And Sahib does commit a new one each time which is reason enough to pardon her. Voila comes up ‘ 7 Khoon Maaf‘ where Khoon represents mistake.
The end, which seemed utterly inexplicable, now appears insignificant. Whatever happens in the end, till Sahib takes a lesson from her past, would justify the title. After all she committed only 7 and if he wanted the director could have filmed 700 and still the title itself would convey everything.
P.S. : This is, by no means, one of Vishal Bhardawaj’s best movies. The post is only to put the mind at ease after 7 days of contemplation.
image courtesy:http://www.realbollywood.com
Saat Khoon Maaf is testimony to the fact that if a movie, despite its shortcomings, can actually get you thinking then it has probably served its purpose. It was a bold and mature film. It may or may not be Vishal Bharadwaj`s best film but I commend the guy for choosing to do such a bold film, for trusting the intelligence of his audience. Nice post. Thought inspiring movie.