Movie Review: Dasvidaniya

This movie was long overdue, and I finally got a chance to catch it on DVD.

Dasvidaniya (Russian for goodbye) is the story of Amar, a "simple" guy in his late thirties living his "normal, middle class" life, until he's diagnosed with stomach cancer and given three months to live. What does one do when faced with death? Give up, or fight it? Amar decides to fight it - with a list of "ten things to do before I die". This includes buying a car, learning guitar, finding love, going on a foreign trip and getting on the front page of a news paper.

Vinay Pathak once again excels in his role. This guy is one amazing actor, and completely gets into his character, whether it's the sad, simple Amar of Dadvidaniya, the irritatingly funny character from Bheja Fry or the brash, loud Bobby yaara from Rab Ne... watch the movie for him!

The movie is touching, but somehow doesn't make you cry. Amar goes through a lot of emotional pain, but for some reason, that doesn't hit you as much. And maybe that's where Amar's victory lies. He takes out the pain of death, and leaves in its place sweet memories of a life that's left us.

Much like my cousin, Rajiv, who died of leukemia a couple of years back, leaving some beautiful memories for us to remember him by...