27 Down

27 Down is a 1974 Indian black-and-white Hindi film starring Sudhir Dalvi, Rakhee Gulzar, and Sadhu Meher. Directed by the notable Awtar Krishna Kaul, this film has garnered applause for its poignant portrayal of human emotions, relationships, and an existential crisis set against the backdrop of India's post-independence era. The film marks Kaul's debut as a full-length feature film director and stands out as a remarkable piece of cinema that elegantly blends the elements of the Indian Parallel Cinema and New Wave movements.

The title 27 Down refers to the Mumbai-Varanasi train (no.27 Down), which serves as the ever-present backdrop but also, in a sense, as a character within itself in the movie. Every sequence featuring the train echoes subtextual elements about life and its bittersweet journey. It's a metaphor that brilliantly echoes how the journey of life, like that of a train journey, has its stops, detours, unexpected events, and of course, fellow passengers.

The movie unfolds through the eyes of its protagonist, Sanjay (played by Sudhir Dalvi) who is enthralled by the romanticism of railways from an early age, as his father worked for the Railways. Despite having a degree in Sanskrit, he abandons his academic aspirations and yields to his father's request, taking a job as a train conductor. This decision to adopt an average existence and abandon his passion mirrors Kaul's critiques of the Indian societal norms that force an uncomplicated life with predictable routines.

Rakhee Gulzar, a prominent Indian actress known for her roles in Hindi cinema, plays the female lead, Shalini, a mysterious woman who Sanjay encounters during his routine train journeys. Shalini is unlike the other women in Sanjay's life, presenting him with his first encounter with love and desire. The relationship that unfurls between Sanjay and Shalini serves as a turning point in the film that further accentuates the crisis of existence in Sanjay's life.

Sadhu Meher lends considerable depth to the film with his pertinent acting prowess as he portrays the character of Mohan, another significant person in Sanjay's life. Each of the characters in the narrative exemplify different realities of life - love, duty, independence, and acceptance, subtly portrayed by these brilliant actors.

The film's narrative is further enhanced by coherent and detailed cinematography. The director, Awtar Kaul, utilizes the cinema verité style, incorporating a lot of location shooting, long shots, and lengthy silences to create a vivid and realistic atmosphere that complements the storyline. The stark black-and-white visuals, in effect, reflect the monotony of Sanjay's life as well as the vivid contrasts inherent in the world around him.

Composer Hariprasad Chaurasia's soundtrack is another vital element contributing to the film's mood. His music gently emphasizes the deep, emotional tension at the heart of the film without being too intrusive or overpowering.

27 Down, despite its somber overtone, thrives on its character performances and the powerful metaphor of a train journey, which serves as a mirror image of one's life, with its ups and downs, twists and turns, stops and starts. It presents its protagonist as an example of countless youth within Indian society who grapple with the losing struggle between societal obligations and personal aspirations.

Whilst the foreground story offers an intimate look into the life of an everyday man in post-independence India, the undercurrents explore broader themes of existentialism, identity crisis, and societal pressure. This nuanced and layered narrative, coupled with the sterling performances by its core cast, makes 27 Down a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts who appreciate thought-provoking and profound storytelling.