Earth : 1947

More than 8 years after seeing the movie the first time around, watched it again and would still consider it as the best Indian movie that has gone to the Oscars in recent years. Far superior than Lagaan - a bit ironical, that the latter was an Aamir Khan produced movie - while Earth sees Aamir Khan in one of the most powerful roles he has put out.

Its set at the time of the 1947 Partition that ripped apart India in more ways than one. Aamir Khan plays a muslim ice candy man who is interested in a pretty hindu girl (Nandita Das), a maid at a Parsee household in Lahore. But he has to fight many other potential suitors and is single-minded in his approach. As the social fabric around him deteriorates and with his love interest seemingly destined to fail, the integrity of the ice candy man is tested.

The film captures very well how things can change so quickly in times of such social unrest - and in a way explains how violence is an integral part of society. To think otherwise, is foolish.

I would rate the closing scene as one of the better crafted scenes in recent Indian cinema - credit to Deepa Mehta. The soundtrack to this movie created by A R Rehman is also top notch.

Rating : * * * +