even before i had finished watching filmistan, i had realized that it was not a 5-star-worthy-film, a rating given to it by an online review, and which prompted me to watch it. but it does leave an almost indescribable, feel-goody residue in your head that makes you want to recommend it to others.

a Movie that takes a simplistic, highly possible plot and imbues it with subtle un-bollywood touches to deliver an engaging film. from its ‘nobody’ protagonists to  its undramatic antagonists, it makes the story of a happy-go-lucky, wannabe actor who is mistakenly kidnapped and hustled across the border, and who while yearning to go back home doesn’t pass up any chance to show off  his histrionic skills, all too real. all along delivering glimpses into what makes people who they are, and do what they do. minus the jingoism that characterizes any movie that involves india and pakistan, it shows people for what they are without complicated back stories and twists. and while the script does lose some punch in a few places, it manages to pick up the pieces to deliver a delightful, slice-of-life narrative laced with humour and poignancy.

suffice to say, filmistan gives you a much-needed break from everything bollywood and cliched.