The story of the film locates itself in Mumbai in the early nineties, when the city has been rocked by communal violence between Hindus and Muslims. The opening of Naam Kya Hai?, marked by three petty thieves that have been captured by the police, when tied with its title that is a direct question aimed to ascertain someone's religious identity, immediately puts in motion a sense of unease.
The viewer is not wrong in giving in to this discomfort as it is soon revealed that the senior police officer, who is in charge of the situation, has recently lost his wife to this communal hatred, and now finds himself going down the path of revenge. All along, the film keeps adding new layers, and bits of information to further strengthen the sense of suspense gradually making its presence felt in the narrative. It is also marked by skilled performances and an important message located at the core of the story. Additionally, it needs to be lauded for sharing its intentions in an impactful manner, without giving in to sensationalism or fixed, monolithic categories of right and wrong.
Read LessThe viewer is not wrong in giving in to this discomfort as it is soon revealed that the senior police officer, who is in charge of the situation, has recently lost his wife to this communal hatred, and now finds himself going down the path of revenge. All along, the film keeps adding new layers, and bits of information to further strengthen the sense of suspense gradually making its presence felt in the narrative. It is also marked by skilled performances and an important message located at the core of the story. Additionally, it needs to be lauded for sharing its intentions in an impactful manner, without giving in to sensationalism or fixed, monolithic categories of right and wrong.
