The art of Storytelling in “Tamasha” : A cinematic masterpiece

sanatan kafle
4 min readFeb 2, 2024

--

In the ocean of Bollywood movies that often were overlooked at the time of its release, Tamasha stands out as a hidden gem. Directed by Imtiaz Ali, Tamasha weaves a mesmerizing tale of self-discovery, love, passion and the power of storytelling itself. It is a movie that slowly grows on you, the more you watch it the more in awe you get.

Poster

“Tamasha” introduces us to Ved and Tara, who meet in Corsica and decide to spend a week together with an ever present fictional backstory. Narration of the movie is so subtly to blur fiction and reality, challenging the notion of singular truth. As the narrative unfolds, we see Ved’s life, tracing his journey. His struggle to conform to societal expectations which suppress his true passion and desire is explored brilliantly. The movie converges to Ved’s discovery and transformation.

During their time at Corsica, Tara is pulled to the vibrant and authentic side of Ved. In Ved’s monotonous life, he struggles to reconcile his suppressed desire with expectations that were placed upon his shoulders. Ved confronts his own inhibitions and confronts the inner demons. With the support of Tara, Ved finds the courage to embrace his true self and defy the social norms.

With AR Rahman as music Director, songs are bound to be banger, but in case of Tamasha, songs aren’t just good to be listened to rather transform along with the story. Starting off with ‘Chali Kahani’ which is about stories, explaining how every story have the same soul regardless of time or characters. ‘Matargasti’ is an ice-breaker which sets of in the street of Corsica and defines start of the story. “Heer to Badi sad hai” revolved around the story of Tara which captures essence of sadness and vulnerability of the character. “Wat WatWat” serves as a joyful depiction of characters as they let loose and leave their life. “Agar Tum Sath ho” is the most famous track of the album. It portrays love and sadness simultaneously. Tara wishes to be with Ved while he struggles to express what he wants. “Tu koi aur hai” dives into the identity and self-discovery phase of Ved. This song is placed to act as a catalyst for the protagonist’s journey of deeper self understanding. “Safarnama” pushes Ved to start finding answers for himself.

“Tamasha” teaches us a valuable lesson about the significance of embracing vulnerability in our own narratives. Ved’s personal journey, from suppressing his true self to rediscovering his passion, highlights the importance of authenticity and the courage to defy societal norms. The film urges us to cast off the facades we often don and instead listen to our inner voices, fearlessly pursuing our dreams. It serves as a poignant reminder that the stories we tell ourselves and the world have the ability to shape our lives and define our genuine identities.

Let’s talk about sub plots in the movie. Ved battles with his inner demons, represented by recurring visions of a masked figure throughout the film. These inner demons symbolize his fears, insecurities, and the internal barriers that prevent him from fully embracing his true self. Overcoming these inner demons becomes a crucial part of Ved’s personal growth and transformation. As the story progresses, Ved confronts the masked man within himself, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and breaking free from the societal constraints that have held him back. Ultimately, Ved overcomes his inner demons and finds the courage to unmask himself, embracing his true identity and pursuing his dreams authentically.

“Tamasha” reminds us of the importance of embracing vulnerability, listening to our inner voices, and pursuing our dreams unapologetically. It challenges societal norms and encourages us to break free from the facades we wear, celebrating authenticity and individuality. The film’s exploration of inner plots, such as Ved’s suppressed passion and Tara’s perception of love, adds layers of depth to the narrative, creating a rich and meaningful cinematic experience.

:):)

--

--