Queen

Queen is an excellent and a fascinating movie. The movie is setup in a typical middle class Delhi family. The girl (Rani) is about to get married to a typical Delhi boy (Vijay), who tries all the tricks to lure Rani, in their courtship days. However, post his "onsite" experience, the "middle class" Rani looks a bit old fashioned to Vijay. And in a complete filmy turn of events, he refuses to marry Rani 2 days before their marriage. Rani goes through a complete melt down post this shock, and is very vulnerable as she keeps hoping for Vijay or his parents to change their decision. The "strong from within" Rani finally comes out of this shock and surprises everyone by saying that she wants to go to her honey moon alone and that is where Rani's discovery of her own new identity and life begins. The strength of her character then shows up in all her actions as she explores Paris on her own. She makes new friends and is introduced to a different world by Vijaya, her new friend in Paris. Vijaya is the modern woman, who has no inhibitions and enjoys the life at the fullest, and does not like to adhere to the usual traditional standards expected from women. Vijaya eases Rani into the typical western symbols of modernity (pubs, drinking etc)and helps evolve Rani into a confident, unassuming character. As she starts enjoying her new life, she remembers all those events where Vijay would not give her any chance of doing well, and would always disapprove of her actions and make her feel low. And contrast that with her new life, where she confidently drives the car and even pushes the envelope by kissing the chef, who challenges her. The movie nicely ends with a contrast, where Vijay who at the start of the movie chides Rani for not being modern, but at the end is insecure to see her new modern awtar. All in all an excellent movie, which shows the contradictions which still exist in Indian society, as we move forward in our quest to be "modern". More power to the "Queen" in every "Rani"