A Billion Colour Story

A Billion Colour Story, released in 2016, is an evocative and thought-provoking Indian drama that beautifully explores the overwhelming capacity of human emotions and the undying spirit of dreams, peace, unity and tolerance through a unique lens - its young protagonist named Hari. Directed by the debutant N Padmakumar and produced by Satish Kaushik, this film is a versatile mix of depth, humor, sincerity, and simplicity. It stars Dhruva Padmakumar, Gaurav Sharma, and Vasuki in pivotal roles.

A Billion Colour Story touches the heart and rattles the mind through its narrative and thematic elements. It delivers an emotionally gripping portrayal of contemporary India. In a nutshell, the film revolves around the experiences and observations of Hari Aziz, an 11-year-old boy with multi-ethnic roots. He is the son of a Muslim father, Imran Aziz, who is an aspiring filmmaker portrayed by Gaurav Sharma, and a Hindu mother, Parvati, who works as a software engineer and is depicted by Vasuki. This multi-religious, multi-cultural background forms the baseline of the plot, shaping Hari’s world-view, and setting a path for the unfolding of events.

The film uses Hari's innocence and curiosity to engage viewers in his fascinating journey of understanding the complex socio-religious dynamics of Indian society. He represents an unbiased, unprejudiced, and benign perspective towards various societal norms, beliefs, and prejudices. Blissfully ignorant about the communal divide and religious hatred, he embodies the spirit of secularism and diversity, forming the centrepiece around which the narrative unfolds.

Dhruva Padmakumar’s portrayal of Hari is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. The film beautifully captures his quest to understand the implications of being a Muslim in a religion-centric society and the tensions it can often incite. While this serves as an undercurrent, the central plot revolves around his father, Imran's struggle to make an independent film about peace and unity, his consequent financial distress, and the hurdles he faces because of his religious identity.

A Billion Colour Story invites viewers into a myriad narratives surrounding religion, unity, discrimination, and prejudice, yet consistently maintains a hopeful and optimistic viewpoint. The dialogues are impactful and thought-provoking, the cinematography vivid and vibrant, and the music deeply stirring, all of which contribute to the film's masterful storytelling.

While it might appear to be a sober reflection on the religious tension, the film is not devoid of lighthearted moments. Hari’s playful interactions with his schoolmates, his intellectual conversations with his parents, and his overall childlike demeanour provide much-needed comic relief and a heartening sense of youthful joy to the otherwise serious narrative.

Gaurav Sharma as Imran Aziz and Vasuki as Parvati contribute to the cinematic universe of the film in their own unique ways. Gaurav delivers an impassioned performance, effectively portraying the struggles of a filmmaker and his distant dream. Vasuki, on the other hand, plays the role of a modern, independent mother with aplomb, adding yet another layer to the narrative.

While A Billion Colour Story tackles the sensitive issue of communal disharmony, it simultaneously imparts enduring messages about hope, resilience, and the beauty of diversity. It emphasizes the need to appreciate the different "colours" of our society and to embrace them to paint a harmonious picture of unity in diversity.

In all its worth, A Billion Colour Story is a poignant commentary on our society, masterfully packaged as an endearing narrative of a child’s optimistic spirit and his heartening perspective on life. It is a must-watch film, educating its viewers without pontificating, inspiring without being overtly instructional. Through its cinematic brilliance, A Billion Colour Story proves to be a visual spectacle of colours; yet its true essence lies not as much in its visuals as in its ability to stimulate a billion thoughts, a billion perspectives, and a billion ways to understand and embrace humanity in all its diversity. With its blend of intellect, emotion, and wisdom, A Billion Colour Story indeed paints a captivating story in images, dialogues, and emotions. It is a film that explores the rich shades of humanity, mingling reality with satire, despair with hope, and hate with love, thus exuding a charm that touches one's soul, provoking thought, and lingering long after the credits roll.