 The Indian film, 'Dor', is written and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. This is a captivating tale of two women who belong to different worlds. One of them undertakes a long journey to save her love, and another dares to break the shackles of tradition and choose life, as her heart wants it. Starring Ayesha Takia, Gul Panag and Shreyas Talpade, 'Dor' is about love, loss, friendship, hope and salvation. The director often emphasizes human relationship in all his films. In this film also he once again tried to show how emotional bonding bind different people together. The film can also be called as based on the empowerment of the weak and the oppressed. The film is raw and realistic in essence. And this is the reason why its story is so believable and deeply touching. The entire film is shot in Rajasthan with colourful clothes and vast desert.
The film is a remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam film Perumazhakkalam which was directed by Kamal. Synopsis of the Indian movie 'Dor' 'Dor' is the story of two women, Zeenat played by Gul Panag and Meera played by Ayesha Takia, both living in different parts of India. Their fate is invariably strung together by one incident that changes both their lives forever Zeenat is an independent Muslim woman living in Himachal Pradesh. She agrees to marry Amir Khan, her boyfriend despite his parents' reservations. After their marriage, her husband leaves for Saudi Arabia to begin with a new employment. Meera is a simple Rajasthani Hindu woman, who has everything in her life in accordance with customs and traditions. Her formative years, her recent marriage into a traditional Rajasthani family and her daily chores within the walls of her haveli. Coincidentally, her husband is also away to Saudi Arabia, his new workplace. Before leaving the happily married Meera spends the few cherished moments with her husband Shankar. Meera finds it tough without her husband but they manage to stay in touch despite the geographical distance. Shankar regularly kept sending his wages back home so as to support his family. In the family he has his father, Randhir Singh played by Girish Karnad, mother, Gowri Singh played by Veena Sajnani, his paternal grandmother played by Uttara Bhavkar and his wife, Meera. One day, Meera does not find the periodic payment from Shankar. Time passes by and when there are neither any further remittances not any correspondence from her husband, Meera gets worried. When frantic inquiries are made, she is devastated to know that Shankar was killed in a freak accident that was allegedly caused by his Muslim roommate. When the news of Shankar's death reaches the Singh haveli, everyone turns somber and as per the Rajasthani tradition, the ceremonies towards rendering her into a widow emotionally drains Meera. Her vivaciousness and exuberance are thrust into her black veil. The rest of the family vents their frustration of losing their only bread-winner on Meera, by blaming her for bringing ill-luck to their family. Meera, while being her respectful self, bears the insults silently. Meera is domesticated into the strinct tradition of a Rajput household. 
On the other side, Zeenat hears the same news and an Indian officer suggests to her about the Saudi law which conveys that there is only one condition in which Aamir's life can be spared and that is if Shankar's widow Meera forgives him. Armed only with a photograph for Shankar and Amir, Zeenat sets out to find Meera. En route, she meets a bahuroopiya played by Shreyas Talpade on the way. The bahuroopiya introduces himself and his profession as being multi-faceted and multi-talented in arts, mimicry. This profession requires him to keep visiting different places to perform 'tricks' for his income.
This bahuroopiuya plays false with Zeenat and steals her belongings also but when Zeenat is in trouble, he rescues her with his artistic talent. He reveals his sympathetic view when Zeenat details her plight and offers to help her with whatever knowledge he has. After making a lot of educated guesses, the both reach Jodhpur and with local help, they indentify the Singh haveli. When Zeenat directly requests the Singh family to pardon Amir's mistake, their anger drives her away. She feels that maybe talking through and befriending Meera might help her cause. The bahuroopiya takes leave of Zeenat and wishes her the best for her efforts.
At a temple, which Meera visits as her daily ritual, Zeenat makes her first contact. Over time, both become good friends and spent most of the time together and their friendship brings out the missing part in each of their personalities. The tamed and widowed Meera learns to live her life anew, while the hardened Zeenat learns mellowness. In the process, Zeenat realizes helplessness; this is totally new to her forthright way of thinking. Meera, on the other hand, gets a glimpse of freedom. This brings her out of the shell of the traditions in her haveli and gives her a new perspective on her own life. There are some differences in both the women. One of these women will hold the power of life and death in her hands. One will be helpless at the hands of fate. One of these women has everything to fight for while one of them has nothing to lose. When the news of the imminent death sentence arrives, Zeenat is compelled to tell the truth to Meera. Meera is shocked beyond belief to hear Zeenat's words and the fact that her friendship has been betrayed is what hurts her more. She immediately refuses to sign the maafinama which means the statement of forgiveness and leaves for the haveli. By that time Meera's In-laws come to know that Meera ia sharing friendship with Zeenat. Meera's father-in-law put her in a closed door. Zeenat, initially, is deeply hurt to know of Meera's decision, but eventually accepts it as fate and decides to leaves for her hometown. Meera tries to come out of the room but nobody opens the door. Shankar's paternal grandmother empathizes with Meera when she breaks this news to her and suggests to look beyond what happened. She goads her to find her own life and encouraged by these words, Meera hurries towards the railway station. She finds Zeenat and it is assumed that Zeenat's journey to save Amir's life was successful and that Meera was equally successful in beginning a fresh life. Cast and Crew of 'Dor' The main castings of the film 'Dor' include Ayesha Takia, Gul Panag, Shreyas Talpade, Girish Karnad, Uttara Bhavkar, Veena Sajnani, and also Nagesh Kukunoor in a short role. The film is written and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor while it is produced by Elahe Hiptoola. The music is given by Salim-Sulaiman while cinematography is done by Sudeep Chatterjee. Awards for 'Dor' The film is an award winning film which is accalimed in the different corners of the country as well as in abroad. The film has got nomination for cinematography, dialogues, lyrics and supporting actor for Shreyas Talpade. The film won the critics award for Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag at the 2007 Zee Cine Awards. At the annual Star Screen Awards Shreyas Talpade and Ayesha Takia won the best actor in a comic role and critics choice for best actress awards respectively along with other nominations. At another such awards ceremony, Takia and Panag won awards for their performances. Ayesha Takia further won the best actress award at the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards. |
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