Masala! Mehndi! Masti! and The Essential Abhay Deol

Masala!  Mehndi! Masti!  -- a weekend long South Asian festival -- is back, and from August 19th to 21st there are a wide range of cultural activities on the agenda, including a restrospective of Abhay Deol's films, as well as a Q&A session with him on Saturday afternoon.

Last year, with the release of Rajshree Ojha’s Aisha, I wrote a piece for Bollyspice that gave a kind of snapshot summary of each of Abhay Deol's films, and I'd started writing them up  for the blog.  Seems to me as if The Universe is telling me that maybe it's time to get around to finishing that up.   Today, a look at Socha Na Tha, Deol's debut film:

 

 

 

Socha Na Tha (2005)

The Skinny: 

Viren (Abhay Deol) and Aditi (Ayesha Takia) are introduced by their very traditional families who are trying to arrange both their marriages.  Viren and Aditi, however, want something – someone – different.  Viren refuses the match for them, and the two families start a bitter squabble.  And Viren and Aditi?  Become the best of friends.  Who would have imagined that?

The Abhay Factor:

Watch Socha Na Tha because it’s Abhay’s first film – and also the first film written and directed by Imtiaz Ali (Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal).  But watch it first and foremost to watch the relationship between Viren and Aditi blossom.  Abhay and Ayesha are lovely together, and their scenes and dialogues together make the whole film worth the price of admission.

 

 

For more on Socha Na Tha, you could always read my write up of the film from last year, and if you're in the Toronto area, be sure to check out the schedule at the Masala! Mehndi! Masti! site for more details on Abhay Deol's films and all the rest of the great stuff on that weekend!

Comments

[dustdevil liz]

I think my new aspiration is to semi-retire to Toronto in July-October to watch films and go to festivals. (The Seniors Idol competition listed on the MMM page might be right up my alley!)

I think my appreciation of Abhay has plummeted a bit in the last few months, so it will be good to revisit some of these films.

[katherine]

I have to admit, I was surprised to see that Q&A on the schedule, hoping I'll be able to get in!

My dream is to one day be able to afford to stay in a hotel in Toronto for ten days during TIFF, buy the biggest film package they have, then spend every waking moment watching films. Maybe one year I'll make that happen :-)

[Suja]

I remember seeing Socha Na Tha when it was released and being surprised as how very natural Abhay is on screen. As you say, the leads make this a very watchable film.

[katherine]

@Suja There are certainly some lovely moments in the film -- I also love the relationship between Abhay's character and his sister-in-law, also nicely drawn.