Kedarnath

Kedarnath

A Film Review

I chose to watch a Hindi movie with English subtitles called “Kedarnath” at the Suncoast movie complex. The main storyline of this film is based on the age-old romantic formula of star-crossed lovers: Mukku, a rich Hindu girl falls in love with Mansoor, a Muslim porter when he helps her make the 14 km pilgrimage journey to the shrine of Shiva set in the mountains of Kedarnath.

Of course, if a movie has to rely on an oft-used plot line, there has to be some elements that elevates the film from mediocre to brilliance and there were. Firstly, the romantic drama is set in the majestic mountains of Kedarnath and some powerful, aerial cinematography renders the setting so picturesque and awe-inspiring. Secondly, the story plays against the backdrop of the real life 2013 Uttarakhand floods that devastated the mountain village where close to 6000 local residents and pilgrims lost their lives. Then there is the religious fervour and devotion of the Shiva devotees who make this arduous pilgrimage to pay homage to their deity. Further, an heartening expose of the life of the Muslim porter who embraces the Hindu religion too. On another level it explores the impact that commercialization has on the little Indian village high up on the mountains and how the establishment of modern resorts would threaten the ecological balance of the area.

The CGI graphics and the drone photography of the natural disaster that swallowed whole buildings was dramatic and powerfully compelling and one could actually feel the devastation and loss of the villagers of Kedarnath. I am not too familiar with Indian actors so haven’t seen the lead actors before: the Muslim porter, Mansoor, played by Sushant Singh who puts up a believable performance as the shy and affable porter and Sarah Ali Khan who is the feisty love interest.

So, the movie which ran for at least 2 hours kept me gainfully occupied and left me with a strong feeling of visiting this beautiful place up in the mountains.