Lost in a Blur

For Amol Palekar,the visual medium is the best means to reflect on issues that affect most people. The actor-director explores dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in his latest Marathi film,Dhoosar (Blurred). “It is a frightening thought,isn’t it? Staring into a mirror and being unable to recognise your own reflection,” says Palekar. “Through the film,I wanted to highlight the plight of the people who unknowingly suffer from these illnesses,and the effects it has on their families.”

Actors Reema Lagoo and Smita Tambe play a mother-daughter duo in the film,which explores the changing nature of their relationships after Lagoo’s character is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Actors Amruta Khanvalkar,Upendra Limaye and Rishi Deshpande form the rest of the cast. “It was important to make a film like this because the illness itself goes unnoticed and many a times is referred to as a sign of old age. There are 35 million people across the world who suffer from it,and the film aims at showcasing the dark reality behind the illness,” says Palekar.

He reveals that one of the best compliments came from the executive director of the UK-based Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI),Marc Wortmann. “He sent me a letter about the movie,saying,Dhoosar is an excellent film about the impact of Alzheimer’s in the relationship between a mother and daughter. It would encourage people to speak out about dementia and help improve lives of people who have it and of their families. I highly recommend watching Dhoosar for its strong emotional appeal and the scientific,yet humanitarian approach.’”

The film was released yesterday and has already garnered rave reviews at the Maharashtra State awards,winning awards for best film,best direction and best music. Palekar further reveals that the ADI is interested in promoting the film. “They have expressed their willingness to endorse the film worldwide,so that it can reach out to wider audiences,” he says.