Watch Naseem

Naseem is a deeply moving coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the 1992 Bombay riots. Directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza, the film captures the fear and uncertainty that gripped the city during those turbulent times, but also the human resilience and compassion that emerged in the face of violence and hatred. The eponymous protagonist, Naseem (Mayuri Kango), is a precocious 14-year-old girl who lives with her grandparents, her parents, and her younger brother in a modest apartment in a Muslim-dominated neighborhood. She is an aspiring writer and a curious observer of the world around her, often engaging in philosophical conversations with her grandfather (Kaifi Azmi), a retired Urdu professor who is her mentor and confidant.

As the film opens, we see Naseem waking up to the sound of distant sirens and chanting, which soon escalate into the sounds of gunfire and screaming. She rushes to the balcony and witnesses a procession of men brandishing swords and shouting slogans, followed by a shower of stones and bricks that shatter the windows of her house. Her parents (Sarika and Makrand Deshpande) and grandfather try to shield her from the violence and explain, in simple terms, the historical and political roots of the conflict between Hindus and Muslims. But Naseem struggles to make sense of the irrationality and cruelty of the world outside.

The rest of the film unfolds over the course of three days, each marked by a different phase of the riots, as Naseem navigates the shifting alliances, loyalties, and prejudices of her community and her schoolmates. She witnesses acts of kindness and bravery, as well as ones of treachery and cowardice. She encounters characters who represent the various facets of the conflict: a Hindu schoolmate who tries to befriend her but succumbs to peer pressure and turns violent; a Muslim neighbor who harbors a Hindu friend but fears for his own safety; a police officer who tries to maintain order but also harbors biases; a journalist who documents the carnage but also exploits it for sensationalism.

Throughout it all, Naseem remains a keen observer and a moral compass, grappling with questions about identity, religion, justice, and love. She reads and writes poetry, listens to music, and dreams of a future where people of different religions and cultures can coexist in peace. She also confronts her own prejudices and fears, and learns to appreciate the richness and diversity of her heritage.

The performances in Naseem are outstanding, particularly from the veteran actors who play Naseem's grandparents. Kaifi Azmi, a renowned poet and writer in real life, infuses his character with warmth, wit, and wisdom, and delivers some of the film's most memorable lines. Kulbhushan Kharbanda, as Naseem's ailing and melancholic grandmother, conveys a sense of quiet resignation and regret, as well as a fierce protectiveness towards her family.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Surekha Sikri standing out as the stern but compassionate school principal, and Rajeshwari Sachdev as the Hindu schoolmate who undergoes a transformation from innocent curiosity to blind hatred. The child actors, especially Mayuri Kango in the lead role, give naturalistic and nuanced performances, capturing the confusion and vulnerability of adolescence with grace and charm.

The cinematography by Santosh Sivan is breathtaking, capturing the beauty and chaos of Mumbai with equal skill. The editing by Renu Saluja is seamless, creating a rhythm that heightens the tension and emotion of each scene. The music by Zakir Hussain is haunting and evocative, blending traditional and modern elements in a way that reflects the film's themes of tradition and change.

Naseem is a rare and remarkable film that deals with a difficult subject matter with sensitivity, intelligence, and grace. It is not a political film, nor is it a preachy or didactic one. Rather, it is a humanist film, that celebrates the resilience, creativity, and compassion of ordinary people in extraordinary times. It is a film that speaks to our common humanity, and reminds us that even in the darkest of times, hope and beauty can still flourish.