Parzania is an Indian movie that is directed and co-written by Rahul Dholakia. Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika starrer Parzania was released in 2007 and available in both English and Hindi languages. Parzania was shot in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad with a budget of US$700,000. The film is based on a true story of a ten year old Parsi boy, who disappeared after the 2002 Gulbarg Society Massacre. The film revolves around the Pithwala family while they are trying to find their son.
Plot of Parzania
Parzania is adapted from a real life story of 10-year-old Parsi boy, Azhar Mody, who disappeared during the communal riots in Gujarat on 28th February 2002. In the film the kid is known as Parzaan. Parzania is entirely inspired from the true unpleasant incidents that happened during the communal riots in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The plot of Parzania revolves around Allan (Corin Nemec), an American. He arrives at city of Ahmedabad in the hope that he will get answers of his own disturbed life. The complexities are interlinked to the disturbances that are prevalent in the society as well. He is supposed to find out more about India and Gandhiji`s ideals about non-violence and others. On a trip like this Allan comes across Cyrus (Naseeruddin Shah) and his affectionate family. Cyrus`s Parsi family consists of his wife Shernaz (Sarika), son Parzan (Parzan Dastur) and daughter Dilshad (Pearl Barsiwala). It is with their help that the Indian scholar Allan is able to find out his answers and finally gains his peace of mind.
All hell breaks loose when one fine day a train carrying 58 Hindus (the `Karsevaks`) returning from a pilgrimage was burnt alive by Muslim extremists. Within 24 hours of this incident riots break out in different parts of the city. The situation grows worse as innocent men, women and children fall prey to violence. Amidst all the hostility and violence Parzan disappears as his identity is mistaken. He is thought to be a Muslim.
Parzan does not return home and his father, Cyrus sets out to search for him. As he passes through the city he is horrified and fights to maintain his own sanity so that he can find more about his son. The film focuses on the anxiety and the pain that the family undergoes. On the other hand Allan is once again perplexed with the present situation. His life is once again posed with the same questions for which he had found out answers. He finds no reasoning in the mindless butchering of the numerous people. Parzan is still missing and the people are dissatisfied with the official explanations that are being given out through press and media. Even after several explanations there are no answers for the missing child and no consolation for the distraught family. Several other victims of this incident ask for an official explanation to the Government of India. As a result of which, a Human Rights commission was formed and through that several witnesses and victims testify against the indifference of the police to protect them from the rioters. Parzania finally ends with a dedication to the victims of communal violence.
Cast of Parzania
The cast of Parzania is enlisted below:
Naseeruddin Shah as Cyrus
Corin Nemec as Allan
Sarika as Shernaz
Parzan Dastur as Parzan
Pearl Barsiwalla in a character role
Raj Zutshi in a character role
Asif Basra in a character role
Pushpendra Saini in a character role
Ram Gopal Bajaj in a character role
Awards Given to Parzania
Parzania was praised by many critics for its plotline and acting of each of the actors. Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika as the parents suffering from the angst of losing their little boy won the viewer"s hearts. Sarika received Silver Lotus Award for Best Actress and Rahul Dholakia was awarded by Golden Lotus Award for Best Direction. Parzania was also awarded by Ramnath Goenka Memorial Award at Screen Awards in 2008. The film fetched international accolades as well.
