Parzania
Encyclopedia
Parzania is a 2007 Indian drama film co-written and directed by Rahul Dholakia
; David N. Donihue
is the other co-writer. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah
and Sarika
in the lead roles, while Corin Nemec
and Raj Zutshi played supporting roles. Made on a budget of US$
700,000, the film was shot in Ahmedabad
and Hyderabad.
The film is inspired by the true story of a ten-year-old Parsi boy, Azhar Mody, essayed in the film as Parzaan Pithawala in the film, who disappeared after the 28 February 2002 Gulbarg Society massacre
, during the communal riots in Gujarat
in 2002 in 69 people were killed. The film traces the journey of the Pithawala family while trying to locate their missing son. The film only portrays a subplot during the riots, not the entire riots. But, since the film earned publicity as one based on the riots, it was criticized for showcasing only the Hindu attacks, while ignoring the Muslim retaliation and certain reviews termed it pro-Muslim
. Moreover, the film doesn't portray the Godhra train attack, and is only heard as piece of news from the radio. But, the perceived bias was because the plot only required the Hindu attacks to be shown.
The film was premiered at 36th India International Film Festival in Goa
on 26 November 2005, before being released nationwide on 26 January 2007.
), an American, arrives in Ahmedabad searching for answers, to find internal peace and to understand the world and his troubled life. He choses India as his school and Gandhi
as his subject of his thesis. It is here that he meets the Pithawala family — Cyrus (Naseeruddin Shah
), his wife Shernaz (Sarika
), son Parzan (Parzan Dastur) and daughter Dilshad (Pearl Barsiwala). The Pithawalas being Parsis follow Zoroastrianism
. Through them and the teachings of an Gandhian
, Allan starts to find peace of mind.
After the fall of Babri Mosque by some extremist Hindus, and then in response the Godhra incident
happens wherein 58 Hindu
religious activists are burnt by supposedly a Muslim
mob. As a chain reaction to these incidents, communal riots
ensue shortly thereafter wherein Muslims were killed and raped by Hindu
mobs, followed by Muslim attack on Hindus. Amidst these riots, ten-year-old Parzan disappears. Cyrus, Shernaz and Dilshad manage to escape the carnage. In the aftermath of the riots, Cyrus searches for his missing child while fighting for his own sanity. While assisting the Pithawalas in their search, Allan battles to uncover the reason behind the riots in an effort to try and make some sense of the incident. People start to question government's official explanation of the incident which downplays any conspiracy. As a result, a Human Rights
Commission is formed. Through the commission, several witnesses and victims testify against the indifference of the police to protect them from the rioters. The film ends with a dedication to the victims of communal violence.
, Los Angeles
-based director Rahul Dholakia
faced a personal tragedy. The riots left his friend's family shattered and this left an indelible mark on him. It hurt him all the more because the incidents happened in his home state. He felt responsible, both morally and socially, and wanted to speak up as a filmmaker. Most of the US$
700,000 budget came from two of his Indian friends in the United States
. Dholakia chose to make the film in English
because he thought that communal riots was a global issue. Furthermore, he was unsure whether he could have the film released in India, given the sensitive nature of the film.
While deciding on the cast, Dholakia said that they were not looking at people's physical appearances. He added:
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah
was the first and obvious choice for the film. But Dholakia was very apprehensive about whether Shah would agree to do the film, and if he could pay his remuneration. His latter worry was because the film started out as a very low-budget film. After Dholakia narrated the script to him, Shah said, "I agree in principle, provided we make this sensitively and sensibly." Shah thought that the film's story needed to be told, and he felt that he had to be part of it. After agreeing to join the cast, Shah did not actively research for his character. Being a parent himself, he felt that it was not difficult for him to empathize with the family whose son was lost in the riots. After a 18 years of hiatus, Sarika
chose to return to cinema with this film. Since the film dealt with a real and sensitive issue, she felt that Parzania went beyond than being just a film. Despite facing the camera after a long gap, Sarika felt quite comfortable during the shooting.
Shortly thereafter, Shah, Sarika and Dholakia went through the script in great detail. Owing to their screen and real-life experiences, Shah and Sarika suggested changes and revised the script several times.
Because the film was about communal riots in Gujarat, the film was purposefully not released there, as the cinema owners refused to screen it, fearing backlash. After an initiative by ANHAD
, a civil rights group, the film was screened at some places in the state after April 2007.
Sarika's acting skills, that were particularly on display in the last scene of the film where she narrates her trauma to the human rights panel, is worth mentioning. She delineates the simultaneously existing emotionally exhausted, as well as, tough nature of an aggrieved mother, who has endured a life changing traumatic experience, by way of her excellent acting. Her acting combined with natural and down to earth expressions, evoked heavy applause from supporters and critics alike, thereby also fetching her a National Award.
(India
)
2008 - Screen Awards
Rahul Dholakia
Rahul Dholakia is an Indian film director-producer-screenwriter, most known for his National Film Award winning film, Parzania , prior to which he also made documentaries like Teenage Parents and New York Taxi Drivers.-Early life and education:Born in Mumbai, to Raksha and Parry Dholakia, an...
; David N. Donihue
David N. Donihue
David N. Donihue is an American writer, director and actor.-Early years:Donihue was born in rural Eastern Washington, raised blocks away from The Green River Killer, and was a resident of Auburn, Washington. He started writing plays that were performed for 45 cents in his back yard and local parks...
is the other co-writer. The film featured Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
and Sarika
Sarika
Sarika was born on 3 June 1962 into a Maharashtrian family in New Delhi, India, and became an acclaimed National Award winning Indian actress.-Career:...
in the lead roles, while Corin Nemec
Corin Nemec
Corin "Corky" Nemec is an American actor. Nemec is known for playing the title character on Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Jonas Quinn on Stargate SG-1, and Harold Lauder in the ABC miniseries The Stand.-Personal life:Nemec's mother was a graphic artist as well as a painter, writer and poet...
and Raj Zutshi played supporting roles. Made on a budget of US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
700,000, the film was shot in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
and Hyderabad.
The film is inspired by the true story of a ten-year-old Parsi boy, Azhar Mody, essayed in the film as Parzaan Pithawala in the film, who disappeared after the 28 February 2002 Gulbarg Society massacre
Gulbarg Society massacre
The Gulbarg Society massacre took place on February 28, 2002, during the 2002 Gujarat riots, when a mob attacked the Gulbarg Society, a Muslim neighbourhood in Chamanpura, Ahmedabad...
, during the communal riots in Gujarat
2002 Gujarat violence
The 2002 Gujarat violence describes the Godhra train burning and resulting communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. On 27 February 2002 at Godhra City in the state of Gujarat, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a large Muslim mob in a conspiracy. But some authentic sources deny the claim...
in 2002 in 69 people were killed. The film traces the journey of the Pithawala family while trying to locate their missing son. The film only portrays a subplot during the riots, not the entire riots. But, since the film earned publicity as one based on the riots, it was criticized for showcasing only the Hindu attacks, while ignoring the Muslim retaliation and certain reviews termed it pro-Muslim
Pseudo-secularism
Pseudo-secularism is the state of implicit non-secular trends in the face of pledged secularism. The term is used by groups who perceive a double standard exhibited within the established secular governing policy towards culturally different groups....
. Moreover, the film doesn't portray the Godhra train attack, and is only heard as piece of news from the radio. But, the perceived bias was because the plot only required the Hindu attacks to be shown.
The film was premiered at 36th India International Film Festival in Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
on 26 November 2005, before being released nationwide on 26 January 2007.
Plot
Allan (Corin NemecCorin Nemec
Corin "Corky" Nemec is an American actor. Nemec is known for playing the title character on Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Jonas Quinn on Stargate SG-1, and Harold Lauder in the ABC miniseries The Stand.-Personal life:Nemec's mother was a graphic artist as well as a painter, writer and poet...
), an American, arrives in Ahmedabad searching for answers, to find internal peace and to understand the world and his troubled life. He choses India as his school and Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
as his subject of his thesis. It is here that he meets the Pithawala family — Cyrus (Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
), his wife Shernaz (Sarika
Sarika
Sarika was born on 3 June 1962 into a Maharashtrian family in New Delhi, India, and became an acclaimed National Award winning Indian actress.-Career:...
), son Parzan (Parzan Dastur) and daughter Dilshad (Pearl Barsiwala). The Pithawalas being Parsis follow Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster and was formerly among the world's largest religions. It was probably founded some time before the 6th century BCE in Greater Iran.In Zoroastrianism, the Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil...
. Through them and the teachings of an Gandhian
Gandhism
Gandhism is the collection of inspirations, principles, beliefs and philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , who was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian Independence Movement....
, Allan starts to find peace of mind.
After the fall of Babri Mosque by some extremist Hindus, and then in response the Godhra incident
Godhra Train Burning
The Godhra train burning was an incident in which a sleeper coach on a passenger train was set on fire in 2002 by Muslims in Godhra, Gujarat, India in a conspiracy...
happens wherein 58 Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religious activists are burnt by supposedly a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
mob. As a chain reaction to these incidents, communal riots
2002 Gujarat violence
The 2002 Gujarat violence describes the Godhra train burning and resulting communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. On 27 February 2002 at Godhra City in the state of Gujarat, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a large Muslim mob in a conspiracy. But some authentic sources deny the claim...
ensue shortly thereafter wherein Muslims were killed and raped by Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
mobs, followed by Muslim attack on Hindus. Amidst these riots, ten-year-old Parzan disappears. Cyrus, Shernaz and Dilshad manage to escape the carnage. In the aftermath of the riots, Cyrus searches for his missing child while fighting for his own sanity. While assisting the Pithawalas in their search, Allan battles to uncover the reason behind the riots in an effort to try and make some sense of the incident. People start to question government's official explanation of the incident which downplays any conspiracy. As a result, a Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
Commission is formed. Through the commission, several witnesses and victims testify against the indifference of the police to protect them from the rioters. The film ends with a dedication to the victims of communal violence.
Cast
- Naseeruddin ShahNaseeruddin ShahNaseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
as Cyrus - Corin NemecCorin NemecCorin "Corky" Nemec is an American actor. Nemec is known for playing the title character on Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Jonas Quinn on Stargate SG-1, and Harold Lauder in the ABC miniseries The Stand.-Personal life:Nemec's mother was a graphic artist as well as a painter, writer and poet...
as Allan - SarikaSarikaSarika was born on 3 June 1962 into a Maharashtrian family in New Delhi, India, and became an acclaimed National Award winning Indian actress.-Career:...
as Shernaz - Parzan DasturParzan Dastur-Background:Parzan Dastur is known as the kid from the famous "Dhara" ad, where he scrumptiously says "jalebiii..."-Film career:Parzan has worked in many commercial ads. Parzan made his debut in movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as a Silent Sardarji . His other movies are Mohabbatein , Zubeidaa and Kabhi...
- Pearl Barsiwalla
- Raj Zutshi
- Asif BasraAsif BasraAsif Basra is an Indian film, television and theater actor. He is best known for his role in the American comedy film Outsourced.-Career:He performed in Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday and Rahul Dholakia's Parzania, which received much critical appreciation. He also appeared in Micheal O...
- Pushpendra Saini
- Ram Gopal BajajRam Gopal BajajRam Gopal Bajaj is a noted Indian theatre director, academician, and a Hindi film actor. He has also been a faculty member and a former director of National School of Drama, New Delhi ....
Production
In the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat2002 Gujarat violence
The 2002 Gujarat violence describes the Godhra train burning and resulting communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. On 27 February 2002 at Godhra City in the state of Gujarat, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a large Muslim mob in a conspiracy. But some authentic sources deny the claim...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-based director Rahul Dholakia
Rahul Dholakia
Rahul Dholakia is an Indian film director-producer-screenwriter, most known for his National Film Award winning film, Parzania , prior to which he also made documentaries like Teenage Parents and New York Taxi Drivers.-Early life and education:Born in Mumbai, to Raksha and Parry Dholakia, an...
faced a personal tragedy. The riots left his friend's family shattered and this left an indelible mark on him. It hurt him all the more because the incidents happened in his home state. He felt responsible, both morally and socially, and wanted to speak up as a filmmaker. Most of the US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
700,000 budget came from two of his Indian friends in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Dholakia chose to make the film in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
because he thought that communal riots was a global issue. Furthermore, he was unsure whether he could have the film released in India, given the sensitive nature of the film.
While deciding on the cast, Dholakia said that they were not looking at people's physical appearances. He added:
We didn't want glamorous people to play realistic roles. We've shot the film without any makeup, etc. We needed people who looked believable. So casting did play a major role, and I'm not even talking about the principal cast. Every actor in the film has been auditioned, and that includes people with one line to say or not even that.
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
was the first and obvious choice for the film. But Dholakia was very apprehensive about whether Shah would agree to do the film, and if he could pay his remuneration. His latter worry was because the film started out as a very low-budget film. After Dholakia narrated the script to him, Shah said, "I agree in principle, provided we make this sensitively and sensibly." Shah thought that the film's story needed to be told, and he felt that he had to be part of it. After agreeing to join the cast, Shah did not actively research for his character. Being a parent himself, he felt that it was not difficult for him to empathize with the family whose son was lost in the riots. After a 18 years of hiatus, Sarika
Sarika
Sarika was born on 3 June 1962 into a Maharashtrian family in New Delhi, India, and became an acclaimed National Award winning Indian actress.-Career:...
chose to return to cinema with this film. Since the film dealt with a real and sensitive issue, she felt that Parzania went beyond than being just a film. Despite facing the camera after a long gap, Sarika felt quite comfortable during the shooting.
Shortly thereafter, Shah, Sarika and Dholakia went through the script in great detail. Owing to their screen and real-life experiences, Shah and Sarika suggested changes and revised the script several times.
Because the film was about communal riots in Gujarat, the film was purposefully not released there, as the cinema owners refused to screen it, fearing backlash. After an initiative by ANHAD
ANHAD
ANHAD is an Indian socio-cultural organization established in March 2003, as a response to 2002 Gujarat riots. Shabnam Hashmi, sister of the slain activist Safdar Hashmi and founder of SAHMAT, Marxian historian Prof. K N Panikkar and social activist Harsh Mander are the founding members of ANHAD...
, a civil rights group, the film was screened at some places in the state after April 2007.
Sarika's acting skills, that were particularly on display in the last scene of the film where she narrates her trauma to the human rights panel, is worth mentioning. She delineates the simultaneously existing emotionally exhausted, as well as, tough nature of an aggrieved mother, who has endured a life changing traumatic experience, by way of her excellent acting. Her acting combined with natural and down to earth expressions, evoked heavy applause from supporters and critics alike, thereby also fetching her a National Award.
Awards
2006 National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
(India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
)
- Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best ActressNational Film Award for Best ActressThe National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...
- SarikaSarikaSarika was born on 3 June 1962 into a Maharashtrian family in New Delhi, India, and became an acclaimed National Award winning Indian actress.-Career:... - Won - Golden Lotus Award - Best DirectionNational Film Award for Best DirectingThe National Film Award for Best Direction winners are given below. Satyajit Ray has been awarded the maximum number of times in this category....
- Rahul DholakiaRahul DholakiaRahul Dholakia is an Indian film director-producer-screenwriter, most known for his National Film Award winning film, Parzania , prior to which he also made documentaries like Teenage Parents and New York Taxi Drivers.-Early life and education:Born in Mumbai, to Raksha and Parry Dholakia, an...
2008 - Screen Awards
- Won - Ramnath Goenka Memorial Award