AFTER-EFFECTS: The Kite Runner

Ribbon-cutting the series with one I experienced last night itself while watching The Kite Runner.

Sitting on the couch having setup a movie-conducive atmosphere, I finally pointed the cursor to and selected the third movie from the list displayed on the LCD screen. After much contemplation, Baba and I had zeroed in on playing The Kite Runner from a couple of difficult choices... and without a surprise (for those who have read the book) were moist-eyed by the time the credits scrolled on the screen.

As with most book-made-into-films (non-coincidentally the remaining two in the DVD were The Bourne Identity and The Da Vinci Code, ones from my favourites as books), you naturally do expect a lot from the reel version, especially when the book is a stunner! The Kite Runner as a movie didn't deliver entirely I felt; but Hassan, Amir, Baba, Rahim Khan, Ali, Aseef, Soraya, Sohrab were so etched on my mind (and it's been more than a year since I read the book!) that I just didn't have the heart to find out the flaws or point out the excluded parts... in short, watched it without being a critic.

Other than being moist-eyed, I realised that that was not the only after-effect The Kite Runner had managed to inject into me: I just couldn't help myself from humming, thinking and then playing the song Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi from the movie Masoom. Composed by R. D. Burman, written by Gulzar and sung by Anup Ghoshal, this song just refused to part ways with me thereafter (Now, don't lead me into describing Masoom, because this in itself is another touching movie; starring Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi with the kiddo versions of Urmila Matondkar and Jugal Hansraj)

Now, at first you probably won't be able to get the picture (no pun this) as to why this particular song, but one good ear to the words in this heart-wrencher and you'll know why and how it suits the bill! The only difference - Amir singing it to Hassan, instead of the father to his son as in the original.

The lyrics for your perusal -

(V)

Tujhse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi

Hairaan Hoon Main

Tere Masoom Sawalon Se

Pareshaan Hoon Main

(St 1)

Jeene Ke Liye Socha Hi Nahi

Dard Sambhalne Honge

Muskuraaye To Muskurane Ke

Karz Utaarne Honge

Muskuraun Kabhi To Lagta Hain

Jaise Hothon Pe Karz Rakha Hain

(St 2)

Zindagi Tere Gham Ne Humein

Rishte Naye Samajhaye

Mile Jo Humein Dhoop Mein Mile

Chhanv Ke Thande Saaye

(St 3)

Aaj Agar Bhar Aayi Hain

Boonde Baras Jaayengi

Kal Kya Pata Inke Liye

Aankhe Taras Jaayengi

Jaane Kab Gham Hua Kahan Khoya

Ek Aansoo Chhupa Ke Rakha Tha

For those who have not yet been privileged to listen to this masterpiece (and are keen on listening to it), you know who to ask for it... :-)