Alipur Films’ No Fathers In Kashmir (English; UA) is about the missing persons in strife-torn Kashmir.
Noor (Zara Webb) comes from abroad with her mother, Zainab (Natasha Mago), to Kashmir to meet her grandparents (Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Soni Razdan). Accompanying the two ladies is Wahid (Sushil Dahiya), a friend of Zainab, who wants to marry her. Noor’s father has been missing from Kashmir since years, like many others who had been picked up by the army under the assumption that they were militants.
Noor meets Majid (Shivam Raina) in Kashmir. Like her father is missing, Majid’s dad is also untraceable. Noor and Majid strike up a friendship. Noor’s inquisitive mind takes her to the jungle alongwith Majid. The two are arrested by the army and held captive as they seem like militants to the army men. But Noor is soon freed, thanks to Wahid’s influence.
Once Noor is released, she moves heaven and earth to ensure Majid’s freedom. She approaches Arshid (Ashvin Kumar), a family friend, and almost forces him to secure Majid’s release. In the process, she stumbles upon a dark secret about Arshid. Noor is livid and finds herself frustrated because she is helpless.
What is the dark secret about Arshid that Noor learns of? How is Majid freed from the army’s captivity?
Ashvin Kumar’s story is quite interesting but because it is a depressing tale, it would appeal only to a very thin section of the elite audience. His screenplay caters more to the festival circuit viewers. The drama moves on a single track, making it monotonous. Since the single track is dull and dry, it adds to the feeling of depression. Ashvin Kumar’s dialogues, mostly in English, are ordinary.
Zara Webb does fairly well as Noor. Shivam Raina is good as Majid. Ashvin Kumar is effective in the role of Arshid. Natasha Mago makes her mark as Zainab. Maya Sarao is very good in the role of Parvena, mother of Majid. Kulbhushan Kharbanda provides good support as Noor’s grandfather. In the role of Noor’s grandmother, Soni Razdan has her moments. Anshuman Jha is okay as the army Major. Sushil Dahiya leaves a mark as Wahid. Others are adequate.
Ashvin Kumar’s direction, like his script, caters to the festival circuit audiences only. Music (Loïk Dury and Christophe ‘Disco’ Minck) is okay. Camerawork (Jean Marc Selva and Jean Marie Delorme) is good. Sylvain Nahmias’ production designing is appropriate. Editing (by Thomas Goldser, Ashvin Kumar and Abhro Banerjee) is sharp.
On the whole, No Fathers In Kashmir has almost nil commercial value.
Released on 5-4-’19 at PVR Citi Mall Andheri (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Vkaao. Publicity & opening: very poor.