Cast
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Kay Kay Menon
as Ankur Sharma
Sonali Kulkarni
as Rimli I. Gupta / Rimla A. Sharma / Sangeeta
Parvin Dabas
as Bonny / Rahul
Vinay Pathak
as Inspector Robin Dutt
Rajat Kapoor
as Ronodeep 'Rono' Sen
Sandhya Mridul
as Mallika Tiwari
Simone Singh
as Preeti R. Sen
Prashant Narayanan
as Kaushik Chatterjee
Arindam Sil
as Pratap
Prabuddha Banerjee
as Guitarist
Rupam Islam
as Singer at the pub
Varsha Krishnani
as Singer at the pub
Crew
Director
- Arindam Nandy
Writer
- Ranjan Das
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Via Darjeeling examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Arindam Nandy brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2008, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Via Darjeeling took approximately 30 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 104 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 147 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1392 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 262 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2008, when this film is released:
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Via Darjeeling shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which focuses more on action than character development, Via Darjeeling subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Secret Beyond the Door and Touch of Evil explore similar territory, Via Darjeeling stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 21, 2008
- Runtime: 1h 44m
