Very relevant

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2006)

A group of sensualistic college students live the high life. Though outwardly they seem swayed by the consumerism and shallow popular culture rampant in the country ,the truth couldn't be any different. The protagonists' complete fecklessness coupled with their indifference to worldly issues lies in stark contrast to the rat race and bourgeois careerist ideals espoused by a large segment of the youth and particularly the middle class. They feast on their senses and their life is simply an intersection of their youth and time which they seize in enjoyment...The metamorphosis of such sensualists into revolutionaries is bewildering yet fascinating...but not a surprise if their actions in the first part of the movie are carefully observed. After all the most potent courage is a product of reckless temperaments and the fuel of revolutionary struggle 'passion' is most abundant in sensualists...Plot and character are both well developed...the non linear tempo with cross cutting between the 1920s and today's India builds an effective bridge between the young revolutionaries of the freedom struggle and our group of young protagonists'. Cinematography is excellent especially some of the deep focus shots which combine rich textures of the human form(like when the protaginists run deliriously screaming tearing off their shirts in the mustard field)along with breath-taking spacious landscapes to create a stunning portrait ambient in colour and effusive in emotion. The mise en scene accurately depicts the void of absurdism faced by our heroes which they fill by living on edge( a flagging self esteem due to the bourgeois rat race coupled with feelings of impotence at not having a voice in the corrupt politicized society reflects our heroes exhibitionisms.) The mise en scene of the frame in which two of our protagonists stand on the edge of a precipice guzzling beer highlight their capracious exhibitionism when faced with the absurd.
A very touching and idealized portrayal of India's youth, which also celebrates their great potentional. Must watch!