Mithya

The Imposter Who Wasn't is situated in today's Mumbai and presents two worlds - film and the mafia - that sometimes collaborate closely. The main hero represents hundreds of thousands of young Indian men whose dream it is to become a Bollywood actor. Trying to survive by doing small, insignificant parts, the protagonist coincidently gets caught up in the centre of the underworld. Suddenly, purely because he is a look-alike, he is forced to impersonate a major underworld don. Having the drive of an actor, he considers this role a challenge and lives the life of The Other with both passion and fear. His new life is based completely on a lie and unforeseen encounters, so it leads him into numerous comical, weird but also life-threatening and dangerous situations. Played brilliantly by Ranvir Shorey, remembered from Rajat Kapoor's previous film Mixed Doubles (IFFR 2007), the main hero is shaped in a palette of psychological characterisations; from a clumsy, but sweet Chaplinesque (or Raj Kapoors) type of loser who can't solve any life problem, to the firm and strict mafia boss, a man of few words and feared by all. The impressive quality of this film lies in its humour, which comes from within the drama, whether it turns charming and light or dark and tragic. (RS)