YEH KHULA AASMAAN:DULL CANVAS

Yeh Khula Aasmaan is like a dull grey sky without any sunshine or clouds or rainbow or any colour whatsoever.

Made by debutant director, Geetanjali Sinha, the film has been advertised as a winner in best foreign feature film, sports category,Los Angeles film festival. Such a choice certainly speaks poorly of film festivals which actually select cinema devoid of solid content.

The story  revolves around an 18 year old boy, Avinash (Raj Tandon) who loses confidence upon failing IIT entrance exam and goes to visit his Daddu, Gulab Rai (Raghuvir Yadav).Avinash’s father (Yashpal Sharma) is busy making money in London while he has been sent to Mumbai to study. Daddu used to be an ace kite flier in his village, known for defeating his arch rival, Mirza. Now the grandsons, Avinash  and Salim take part in a kite flying competition in keeping with the family tradition. Yadav believes that his grandson will regain his lost confidence if he wins the competition. He keeps inspiring Avinash with words like, “ho iraadon mein bulandi to zameen kya, aasmaan kya..”With the help of next door girl, Muskaan (Anya Anand),another childhood  friend and his Daddu, Avinash starts to prepare for the contest.

 Teenagers these days are growing up on Hollywood cinema, television and Youtube. It is unlikely that a slow, preachy story told like a moral science lesson, will keep their attention or interest. The story is too simple and without much conflict. The screenplay (Geetanjali Sinha,Samarth Lahiri)is  predictable and devoid of any drama. The dialogues (Ravi Chopra) keep you just about interested  but don’t reflect any particular character trait in anyone including a fine actor like Raghuvir Yadav.

Every character is stereotype-a loving grandfather, a negligent father and a kitty party going mother. All these would still be acceptable and interesting if the main character, Avinash could draw you in. Every time, there is a minor challenge for him, his only reaction is to head for the terrace and sulk. Daddu follows and preaches. The scenes are repeated throughout the story. Avinash’s parents shown indulging in blame game, have a sudden change of heart with just one incident. There is forced conflict with Daddu’s arch rival and his grandson, Salim, constantly taunting him and Avinash.

Basically, imagine everything that has been seen before, in slow motion. You get the gist.

The only redeemable feature is the pleasant, peaceful small town location and  a few nice shots of the skyline thanks to the adept cinematography by Vivek Shah.

Music by Anand and Milind Chandragupt is good and complete with suitable lyrics by the dialogue writer, Ravi Chopra. “Tum mile toh karaar agaya,pyar pe aitbaar aa gaya” are sweet and simple. Zindagi bhi patang hai wo pyare,chal nikal ghar se pecha lada re, haar se pehle math haar jaa re--these lyrics  sum up both the theme and the story.

Raj Tandon and Anya Anand remain awkward and unconvincing. Raghuvir Yadav does not resort to any melodrama and remains natural throughout. Yashpal Sharma in his clichéd role of unattentive father and London based businessman, seems slightly uncomfortable.

Although well intended,this kite doesn’t fly high because of its kachche dhaage.