Aligarh

The film starts with the inciting moment when the professor's privacy is invaded by some miscreants who forcibly enter his house and film him sharing intimate moments with a rickshaw-puller. What keeps you glued to the screen is the focused narrative and the natural performances, that give you a glimpse into the life of the protagonist. Manoj Bajpayee essays the role of the victimised, shy and unassuming professor to perfection, who is forced to fight his battle, singlehandedly. With his gait, speech and underplayed histrionics, Manoj is the character, you would believe in. The silences in his performance and vulnerability in his eyes, are used by him effectively to convey his anguish and loneliness. Rajkummar Rao as Deepu Sebastian, is lithe and natural. He plays the effervescent and enthusiastic Malayali journalist settled in Delhi with ease and the bond he forges with the professor seems genuine. Unfortunately, his character does not delve into why he gets attracted to the case and hence the track seems forced when he insists, "you have to fight it out, Mr. Siras". Overall, Hansal Mehta's direction touches a raw nerve and makes you embrace the film wholeheartedly. Aligarh is based on real life incidents that makes it a compelling watch. The actors have given their career best performances and the story is so touching and inspiring! All in all, Aligarh is a must watch!