Opinion Why LSD is a game changing film

Two. It’s produced by Ekta Kapoor. Yes,she of the regressive serials who until now has been associated with names like Tulsi and Parvati. Lesson: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Three. After Khosla Ka Ghosla and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye,director Dibakar Banerjee proves yet again that he knows his New Young India middle class. He knows about their aspirations and their kinks. Undoubtedly Dibakar’s world will be a culture shock for some unclejis and auntyjis. But then reality always bites. In this case,the reality will come as an electric shock.

Four. The soundtrack of LSD,composed by the uber talented Sneha Khanwalkar — the only female music composer on the circuit today — is pure delight. It has a rustic-club feel to it. Sneha has also tried a new sound by fusing English with Rajasthani folk. And since Dibakar has penned the lyrics himself it’ll be safe to say that lines like Tu Gandi (the censors took away the original word ‘nangi’) Achchi Lagti Hai and Love Sex Aur Dhokha Darling Love Sex Aur Dhokha,will soon become part of our cultural DNA.

Five. Talking of lines,Dibakar outdoes himself with dialogues in LSD. Be it the way he slips in the ‘sister abuses’ in normal day-to-day chatter,or the way he gives each of his characters a unique language tone,Dibakar’s dialogues are really the kind we speak in real life. My favourite: Boy to his girlfriend: “Ek toh tu kaali hai upar se taar jaisi lambi.”

Six. Dibakar’s portrayal of Delhi makes you fall in love with the capital. Even the seedy areas — especially the seedy areas. Sheila Dixit should hire Dibakar to make a promotional video on Delhi before the Commonwealth Games. Nobody knows how to sell Dilli better.

Seven. On the script level,Dibakar has ingeniously weaved recent news events into the narrative. Be it the Dalit factor,the MMS scandal,the blue film racket,the casting couch,the sting operations or the matter of honour killings,LSD is a refresher course of the dysfunctional reality of modern India. It mirrors the voyeuristic tendencies of our society with unflinching clarity.

Eight. Watch the film for the newbie actors who make some of the superstars look bad. Anshuman Jha,Shruti,Raj Kumar Yadav,Neha Chauhan,Arya Banerjee,Herry Tangri and Amit Sial are names that I will remember. Promise me Dibakar,that you won’t ever work with the so called stars.

Nine. There’s one great scene in the film. It’s the one where Neha breaks down. Dibakar has shot the entire scene from over the shoulder perspective. You don’t see the girl’s face at all,only hear her relentless sobs and see her heaving shoulders. But the pain that comes across is achingly telling. That’s great direction. And super acting.

Ten. The technique is new. The film is told from a third person’s point of view,using digital technology. Camcorders,CCTVs and spycams add to the world of the film. For once we get a film that is truly hatke.