Shivaay

Movie to move the heart, mind and soul

It is no surprise that a Hindi movie made me cry. They normally do. But it is surprising because this is not the first Bollywood movie I've watched at HIFF. It’s the third. I don’t easily break down in face of anything, but sad movies usually do the trick. And this is day ten and over ten movies later. I shed a tear or two watching Mahana but nothing like the tears in this movie. What’s more? Shivaay is supposed to be an action-packed thriller!

The movie opens with Ajay Devgan, portraying Shivaay, in anguish and pain. No dialogue just his acting and the doll that give viewers the idea that perhaps this is a father who has lost his child. In his view are three men on the ground. If the synopsis I have read had touched on this, I may have been more prepared for the impending emotional roller-coaster ride. However, that would perhaps have given too much of the movie away.

The next frame takes us to the stunning snowy Himalayas. And Ajay Devgan takes us on an exciting adventure on the slopes of the mountains. The music by Mithoon helps viewers feel the thrilling experience of the scene - it wouldn’t be a good Bollywood movie without good music. I felt like the director, Devgan himself, would like us to liken Shivaay to the Hindu deity, Shiva, which will be reinforced a few scenes later by the tattoos on his body.

So Shivaay is a mountaineer who takes tourists on treks and climbing expeditions on the Himalayan mountains. On one of these expeditions, he meets beautiful Olga (played by Polish actress, Erika Kaar), a student from Bulgaria, who speaks I thought almost flawless Hindi. Their first meeting was funny but reminds us not to assume someone does not speak or understand your language just because they are a foreigner.

It is obvious there is instant attraction between Shivaay and Olga though I had no idea discussions surrounding Shiva could be that sensual. Maybe just in a movie? Their tumble in a well-padded tent down the mountain is probably one of the most romantic scene I’ve seen for awhile (though I don’t normally watch this genre) if one could actually survive an avalanche that way.

From the beginning, they are aware of their differences and Olga is honest by telling Shivaay she will not stay back in India. Amidst this is the most beautiful line in the story, professed by Shivaay, “let’s not measure time by weeks or days but by breathes.” Anyway, every day they share together shows Olga embracing the culture and lifestyle more. If we think that means she stays, we think wrong. She is determined to leave so when she finds out she is pregnant, she is upset and wants to abort the child. Shivaay begs her to give him half a family if he can’t have the whole he has always wished for.

Fast forward nine years to Shivaay and Gaura climbing in the Himalayas. Gaura is a splitting image of Olga. There is no mistaken the love this father has for his child. Tears keep streaming down my face as they showed the beautiful, happy scenes of this pair together but thinking that he may lose her in the end is what’s paining me. Nothing seems to be able to shatter their bond and happiness until Gaura finds the letter her mother left behind. This little girl is fierce like her mother, by the way and causes her father quite a headache so Shivaay caves. They will go to Sofia to look for her mother.

Bulgaria is going to be anything but peaceful like their life in the Himalayas. The dangers of the mountains will not prepare them for the dangers that awaits them in a new country. Shivaay saves a child from a pedophile, thus involuntarily plunging himself into the world of human trafficking. In retaliation, the syndicate kidnaps Gaura. What does a father do in such circumstance? Fight to get his daughter back though most fathers are no superhero like Shivaay. He leaves behind destruction all over Sofia in chase of the kidnappers.

He loses the kidnappers and comes face to face with the police. His biggest problem is the police thinks he is the kidnapper because no one believes Gaura, who looks caucasian, is his daughter. He is charged with kidnapping and murder. Shivaay breaks out of prison and begins his hunt for his daughter. He tries to enlist the help of Anu (Sayesha Saigal), an officer from the Indian embassy but she asks him to surrender. Her father’s coaxing and Shivaay’s saving of a Serbian girl eventually convince her to help him.

Olga sees the news and seeks out Anu. Together with Shivaay, they enlist the help of Wahab, a hacker to help trace the kidnappers. Every time Shivaay thinks he is closer to Gaura, he is faced with heartbreak. They finally identify the mastermind, Changez, a police officer. But no time to chase him now. Gaura is in a van heading for Romania. Once the van crosses the border, he will no longer be able to save his daughter. Despite short cuts through the mountains, Shivaay does not make it in time.

Does a superhero dad gives up? No, he finds mountaineering gear in the back of the truck and proceeds to use his mountaineering skills to finally rescue his daughter. The reunion is short-lived as Changez and his goons starts shooting at them from a helicopter and on the ground. The father is subdued and he begs for his daughter to run. Another tear-jerking scene that brought tears to pour down my face.

As expected, Shivaay would eventually overcome Changez. And viewers are reunited with the opening scene where Shivaay collapses. He wakes up in the hospital, asking for Gaura. Anu takes him to Gaura, who is excited to see her father but also excited to show him the room of teddy bears Olga, now married to a wealthy man, has bought her.

Besides losing a child, what hurts a father more? The child’s mother who has abandoned your child coming back after eight years wanting to not only be a part of her life but to tear her away from you? Perhaps. But I think what hurts more is when you see that you are not only replaced by all the luxury the mother can provide but another man that could replace you as her father, as your daughter ignores you for this man.

The scene cuts to Shivaay at the airport with Anu. He has decided to leave for India without Gaura. Anu tries to comfort him though it sounds more like a confession of her heart. He is about to go through immigration when Gaura’s shrill shriek that we have come to be accustomed to stops him. The little girl is very upset. How dare her father leave without her. She fiercely puts him in his place and brings him to his knees. A happy ending.

The action in this movie is amazing. Sometimes unrealistic but not surprising if Shivaay is being compared to Shiva. The most annoying thing about action movies is when the protagonist gets beat up to a pulp when he was just doing all the pummeling earlier or later. Well, it happens here too for a little towards the end. But the end to the fight sequence somewhat makes up for it.

This movie has its flaws but the panoramic view of the Himalayas, the heart-warming love between father and daughter, and the plug against human trafficking makes this movie a must watch for me.

Trailer here.