Bollywood film ‘Zubaan’ wows audience at Busan International Film Fest.

Zubaan (Director: Mozez Singh)

Zubaan, the opening film at the 20^th Busan International Film Festival in Korea, is directed by Mozez Singh, an Indian filmmaker from Mumbai. This is the first time that a mainstream Bollywood film has opened the biggest film festival in Asia.

The film revolves around a boy, Dilsher (played by Vicky Kaushal) from Gurdaspur town in India, whose life is changed by a business tycoon, Gurcharan Sikand who gives him a life lesson. Years later, the boy is all grown up and attempts to meet the one man who taught him the one lesson that helped him overcome his struggles: You are your own god, write your own destiny.

The story takes the audience through Dilsher’s journey of how he meets Sikand and rises in his ranks, making Sikand’s own son jealous leading to eruption of family conflicts which had been buried for years under the pretense of normality, social status and Sikand family’s personal and professional reputation, and in turn discovering his own personal fears and facing them.

The director, Mozez Singh pulls off the film, creating a fine balance between entertaining mainstream audiences and yet weave an interesting narrative, able to satisfy non-mainstream film enthusiasts.

Ashutosh Phatak, the film’s music composer, created a diverse set of music which fit the film’s ambience, especially the soundtrack Dhruvtara that gives off a bohemian feel (which, in turn, is enhanced by the visuals), in addition to a few traditional Indian tracks.

It is also interesting to note the contrast between dialects and cultures within India – the Punjabi culture and the urban Indian culture, which is heavily West-influenced.

What I was surprised by is how well the film was received by the Korean audience. As the credits rolled, I heard a round of applause.

All in all, Zubaan delivers with strong performances by the lead actors, brilliant production design and catchy tracks, which are sure to be embedded in the audience’s minds.

Vicky Kaushal (playing Dilsher, in a still from the movie)

Zubaan by Mozez Singh

Director Mozez Singh