Producer: Shree Venkatesh Films
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Starring: Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai, Mouli Ganguly, Sameer Dharmadhikari, Annu Kapoor & Surekha Sikri
Music: -
Lyrics: -
Reviewed by: Aakash Gandhi


Scheduled for Release in: July, 2004

"It´s about two estranged lovers... She is married...he is not." -- Rituparno Ghosh

Set to the natural woodlands of Bihar, once sharing the same village; two people, entangled in love and misfortune, tell the mysterious tale of fate, love and circumstance...

From childhood, Manoj (Ajay Devgan) and Niru (Aishwarya Rai) were the closest of soul mates. Living close in the same village, they were intertwined by the forces of love, yet separated by what seemed as the even more powerful fury...that of fate and circumstance.

The story begins with Manoj leaving his home and mother to set out for Kolkatta, a place where he hopes to find what he is leaving for, financial success. But his path to financial fortune has a curve in the road. A curve that would reunite him with his most beloved memory and most adored dream...Niru.

One rainy day...he sets out to meet the woman who has enthralled his life with utter beauty...a woman who left his side six years ago due to the unrightful play of destiny. Only equipped with his friend´s raincoat, Manoj embarks on a walk, in the midst of a gloomy and wet afternoon, to meet someone who once was his…

The man to tell this romantic story is Bengali director, Rituparno Ghosh. He is probably the first Tollywood (Bengali) director to cause so much stir in Bollywood without even working on a Bollywood project! His latest film, Choker Bali, won him national acclaim and boosted him into the national level, the very notorious Bollywood. What better way to make your debut foray into Hindi films than with two of the most talented, most loved, and most versatile actors of modern time, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan. “I realised that by making a Hindi film I get to tap talent at a national level,” says Ghosh; well, he’s definitely tapping the talent with these two superstars.

For the public, it won’t be the first time that they see Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan romancing on big screen. Their versatility is evident in the films they have done together, whether it be their ’99 hit love triangle, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, their ‘02 comedy, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi, their most recent ’04 action thriller, Khakee, or their in progress simple romance, Raincoat.

Ladies first…Aishwarya Rai is most probably one of the most sought after Bollywood actresses ever. Although last year didn’t give her any hits in terms of films; she was a major hit in other terms. First and foremost, she was selected as one of the prestigious jury members at the CANNES film festival. Secondly, she had signed Gurinder Chadha’s Bride and Prejudice (set to release in fall). Thirdly, her attraction of the Bond crew, whom she kindly rejected. Next, her addition to the crew of the much awaited The Rising, which eventually didn’t fall through. And finally…although she wore the crown of Ms. World a decade ago, she proved to the universe why she still reigns the world as no. 1, as she was voted ‘Most Attractive Woman in the World’ by Hello Magazine! Once again she has the momentum swinging her way with one of the only hits of the year, Khakee.

In Raincoat, we will see a different side of this damsel…simplicity is beauty at its best. Aishwarya, who played the widowed Binodhini in Ghosh’s previous film, Choker Bali, will go for the no-make-up look here. Neeta Lulla, who had taken care of Aishwarya’s outfits in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Devdas, Choker Bali, and the very exclusive Cannes Film Festival, will once again dress Aishu to amaze the crowds.

Interesting to note, for Ghosh, Ms. Rai had always been the number one choice to play Niru. Unfortunately, due to her shooting schedule for Bride and Prejudice, she was unable to allot the necessary dates for the film. Can anyone guess who the role was given to next? It was Kareena Kapoor, who had caught Ghosh’s eye for her exceptional portrayal of Chameli. It was obvious that lady luck wasn’t going his way, or was it? Neither did Kareena Kapoor have the available dated in her kitty and the film went straight back to Ash. And Raincoat was ready to launch…

“I like the professional handling of things here. Ghosh is an excellent storyteller. although I have not seen any of his films so far.” This will Ajay’s first time working with a Bengali director. Lately, it seems as if Ajay is practically living in Kolkatta. First, Ajay was making constant trips to Kolkatta to shoot for Mani Ratnam’s epic Yuva. Then, he was signed by Aparna Sen for her film to be set in Kolkatta, and now Raincoat, which is entirely shot in the backdrops of Kolkatta. “I think it’s just coincidence…but I am enjoying myself.” It’s only obvious that he would be enjoying himself…he is working with two very talented directors, Ratnam and Ghosh, and gets to work with the beauty queen for a fourth time!

Ghosh has always been keen on casting Ajay for his incursion into Hindi films. “He’s such a good actor…so far we have mostly seen him in tough guy roles. I want to show his sensitive side” explains Ghosh. In Raincoat we will see Ajay in an urban middle class look handles by Annu Singh.

After Yuva, Ajay hasn’t been too happy with the way the audience reacted to his performance. The feeling he received was that the masses only took to Abhishekh’s role and completely ignored Ajay, deemining him as “ordinary.” It’s obvious that Jr. AB had got to play the best character in the movie and the best role of his career, and Ajay was keen to remark that he will be more careful while choosing his roles in the future…what does this mean? In an interview with Times of India, in regards to Raincoat, Ajay had said: “I always try to give in my best but I have never tried to be consciously different. But I do look for projects that help me explore different kinds of roles…I don’t care much about an image anymore…Raincoat is a multiplex film and that’s got quite an audience these days.”

Whether or not Ajay was making a direct comment to his role in Yuva will remain unknown. But one things for sure, Ajay is a man of character and quality and will surely remain a part of Bollywood for years to come…

In addition to directing the film, Rituparno Ghosh has written the script also. This may not sound new to most of you out there but there is something unique about the way this film was written. Although Ghosh can speak Hindi, quite hesitantly, he cannot write in Hindi. Now naturally this would serve as a problem right? Wrong! As it goes, Ghosh had written the entire script in Bengali and then receive the help of well known theatre personality Usha Ganguly to translate it into Hindi. It’s said that Usha Ganguly has supplied the main working script of the film along with Ghosh. Whether the translation hampers the effect of the film will have to be determined when the film is released.

On the whole Raincoat was shot in marathon time, 25 days to be exact. The film actually shot a day ahead of schedule! Nevertheless, Ghosh’s tale of love, fate, and circumstance will be hitting the screens by year end. For the classes as well as the masses, get ready to be struck by a film which carries a different tune…that of a game of destiny…a game of words…

“One rainy afternoon… Six years later… Two estranged lovers met… To play the game of words…