Movie 'The Last Lear' brings together Amitabh Bachchan and Rituparno Ghosh for the first time. With this review, know about the star cast and music of film 'The Last Lear'.
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Producer: Arindam Chaudhari
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta, Shefali Shah and Prosenjit Chatterjee
Release Date: 12th September, 2008
After receiving accolades at London Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India, Rituparno Ghosh's 'The Last Lear' has finally made a date with Indian audience. Inspired by Utpal Dutt's play 'Aaj Ke Shahjahan', the movie traces the life of an actor - Harish Mishra aka Harry (Bachchan), from Shakespearean age. The concept of 'The Last Lear' is totally new for Indian audience and will be liked by only certain sections of the society. The pace of the movie is pretty slow, though suiting the script well.
The whole movie revolves around Harish, a legend of his own making, who agrees to come out of his retirement and star in a film, to be directed by Siddharth (Arjun Rampal). 'The Last Lear' belongs to Amitabh Bachchan and this turns out to be a bit of sport-spoiler. While diverting his full attention on Harish, Ghosh failed to let the other characters develop. Though their conversations give an insight into the great actor, the remaining characters come across as insignificant people, who were there in the life of Harish, one time or the other.
As expected, Amitabh Bachchan has given an excellent performance and plays his part with total conviction. He jumps from one emotion to the other with effortless ease and you cannot help, but be awed. Shefali Shah is at her very best and lights up the screen in every scene. Preity Zinta has come a long way from her 'bubbly' image and plays the part of a traumatized soul to perfection. Arjun Rampal, being realistically intense, understated and dry, has given one of his best performances. If you are one of those who appreciate good performances, 'The Last Lear' is definitely the best bet.
The Last Lear Pre-release Review
Rituparno Ghosh is all set to prove his mettle once again, this time with the movie 'The Last Lear', which is set for release on September 12, 2008. 'The Last Lear' is the first Indian movie that has touched the subject of 'Shakespeare being a source of inspiration for actors'. The movie has been produced by Arindam Chaudhari and will be distributed by PVR cinemas. 'The Last Lear' has the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal and Priety Zinta in the main star cast. The other actors who will be seen in the movie are Divya Dutta, Shefali Shah and Prosenjit Chatterjee.
'The Last Lear' has already earned rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. It has also been showcased in the London Film Festival and the International Film Festival in Goa. The movie has Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role of a retired actor, Harish Mishra. Harish is made to take up the screen once again, by a young and hostile director Siddharth, a character played by Arjun Rampal. Priety Zinta, as Shabnam, plays a co-star to the aged actor. The story has a flash back technique applied to it.
The movie starts with Harish Mishra in the state of coma and his co-star Shabnam worrying about him. On the other hand we have Siddharth, who is not at all affected by the situation. The story then flashes back and we see how Siddharth persuades Harish to forego the ease of his study and come out in the open once again. After much resentment, the ace actor finally agrees to be on stage, once again.
'The Last Lear' is all about how a retired actor, who had once been inspired by Shakespeare, plays his second innings as a performer. With the movie, Arjun Rampal and Priety Zinta have made their debut in the genre of movies which have English as the main language. If you are one of those who are waiting for the movie's release in India, there is good news. Come 12th September 2008 and 'The Last Lear' will hit theaters across the country.
