Sony Liv is not going berserk with exclusives and originals like some of their competitors. I must say that this focus on ‘quality, not quantity’ is working in their favour.
When I first watched the trailer of Ramsingh Charlie, it first reminded me of Circus, Shah Rukh Khan’s TV serial; then I came across a recently released short film, Indian Circus on YouTube, and the whole Circus concept bored me. I knew it would revolve around the rise and fall of Circus in India. I was not very keen on watching a story that had nothing new to tell. I didn’t know by not watching this film I am going to miss out on one of the masterpieces.
Ramsingh Charlie is a complete package. It makes you smile, it makes you feel good, it makes you weep, it makes you think – in short, it’s an excellent movie.
To tell you a little about the story, Ramsingh Charlie is a story of what happens to the people working at the Circus after the owner’s son decides to shut it down. What happens to the people who have never seen or experienced life outside the circus? They do not know any other way to earn. They have limited skills. While some are artists, others are just entertainers.
When we, the ones with strong educational and financial backgrounds are asked to start looking for another job as the company is not doing great or are told about recession, our hearts sink just at the thought of it. Have you ever wondered what people like entertainers at Circus might have gone through when the Circus in the country started shutting down as our mode of entertainment changed? I can’t even imagine what these people might have gone through. It’s scary.
Apart from the lives that shatter after the shutdown of Circus, the story mainly revolves around the protagonist, Ramsingh Charlie, and his love for the character, Charlie. It is also about his struggle to survive, make ends meet, and at the same time, fulfill his dream to own a circus. It’s a story of the struggle that is real and heart-wrenching.
What makes Ramsingh Charlie different from the regular circus stories? The excellent direction and brilliant performances. Kumud Mishra is exceptionally good. And when I say that I do not mean that he breaks your heart by making you weep every time he breaks down in the film. NO! His performance is subtle yet convincing. He breaks your heart with just one look and one expression. Not overdoing is an art only the seasoned artists who know their craft inside out can master. Kumud Mishra has truly mastered the art.
How I wish the industry entirely belonged to finest actors like Seema Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Gajraj Rao, Surekha Sikri, and surprisingly, the list is never-ending. We can’t deny that the industry has a lot of talent. Unfortunately, they are not the brightest stars (even though they are the ones who deserve to be “superstars”).
Anyway, moving ahead, Divya Dutta’s performance too was impressive. Every time I see her on-screen, I wish that someday she gets a proper, full-fledged role that she deserves. The subtle portrayal of the strongest support in Ramsingh’s life was praise-worthy.
As audience, if I had to rate the movie, I would undoubtedly give it 10/10.
If you still haven’t watched Ram Singh Charlie, make sure you watch it this weekend. You won’t regret it for sure.
Where to Watch? Sony Liv