A fable-like journey of the eponymous eight year old boy, Tahaan (Paurav Bhandare) lives with his grandfather (Victor Banerjee), his mother Haba (Sarika) and older sister Zoya (Sana Shaikh) in the serene meadows of Kashmir. They all live in the hope that someday Tahaan’s father who’s been missing for over three years, will return.
This lil boy spends his time in the meadows with his sheep and closest friend Birbal, his donkey, and conjures up a million questions about this world for his grandfather to answer. Grandpa’s profound teachings help Tahaan to choose the right path at the time of grave difficulties. Tahaan’s mother is a powerful character representing the woman who stands strong in the face of hardships. The little boy’s 14 year old sister Zoya provides great support to her mother. Her concern for her little brother Tahaan’s well being makes her pivotal in bridging the gap between right and wrong amidst troubled times.
The death of his grandfather leads the local moneylender Lalaji and his manager (Rahul Khanna) to take away the assets of the family, including their pet donkey Birbal, against repayment of a pending loan. Now, life for Tahaan, his mother and sister takes a turn towards rougher pastures. For Tahaan, bringing his favourite donkey Birbal back home becomes the sole purpose in life.
After various efforts at money-making, Tahaan approaches Lalaji with the prospect of regaining his lost asset, but is devastated to learn that an old man Subhan Darr (Anupam Kher) has bought Birbal and taken him across the mountains… the same mountains from where Tahaan’s father never returned.
But Tahaan sums up courage and chases after Subhan. The prophetic old man doesn’t befriend Tahaan at first sight but slowly warms up to his energetic and determined soul whose love for Birbal is paramount. But at the end of the journey, Tahaan is further disheartened when Subhan gifts Birbal to his orphaned eight-year-old nephew, and even the long-time helper of Subhan called Zafar (Rahul Bose), cannot be of any assistance to poor Tahaan.
On his way back home, Tahaan finally encounters a teenage lad Idrees, who convinces him that his efforts would never be sufficient to get Birbal back. Instead, he promises to get Birbal back for a favour. All Tahaan will have to do is carry a package across the mountains on his next journey. Seeing Tahaan’s eagerness, Idrees hands him a grenade. He tells him that when the time is right, he will be told what is to be done.
Tahaan sets off on his second journey with Subhan and Zafar, the grenade and package tucked away under Birbal’s saddle.
Very natural and fine parts played by Anupam Kher as the old prophetic man Subhan, and even his foolish helper Rahul Bose as Zafar which are a delight to watch. Rahul Khanna shines as the Lalaji’s business manager who strives to bring some sort of corporate structure to the money lending and apple business in this primitive valley. The child artistes – Ankush Dubey as Idrees and Dheirya Sonecha as Yaseen are remarkable.
A touchy film, brilliantly showcased story of a young child who is obsessed with his pet donkey and how far he can go to save his only meaning in life.
Cast of Tahaan:
Tahan – Purav Bhandare
Haba – Saarika
Zoya – Sana Shaikh
Grandfather – Victor Banerjee
Zafar – Rahul Bose
Nadira – Rasika Dugal
Kuka Saab – Rahul Khanna
Subhan Daar – Anupam Kher
Idrees – Ankush Dubey
Yaseen – Dheirya Sonecha
CREDITS of Tahaan:
Director: Santosh Sivan
Producers: Shripal Morakhia, Mubina Rattonsey
Story & Screenplay: Santosh Sivan, Ritesh Menon, Paul Hardart
Dialogues: Anirudhya Mitra
Director of Photography: Santosh Sivan (ISC)
Production Designer: Sunil Babu
Editor: Shakti Hasija
Music Composer Taufique Qureshi
Sound Designer: Rajakrishnan
Costume Designer: Shahnaz Vahanvaty
Sound Recordist: Paul Schwartz
Line Producer: Milind Verekar
Casting Director: Abhimanyu Ray
Executive Producers (Santosh Sivan Films): Kamal Mohammed, Alberto Lopez, Kyoko Dan
Executive Producers (Idream): Ashish Bhatnagar, Rohit Sharma
Assistant Directors – Ritesh Menon, Sanju Surendran, Santosh Vasandi
Art Department – P. Chandraiah, Vaishanvi Reddy, Juhi Shekar
Costume Department – Abdul Jabbar, Ravi Pawar, Deepti Trivedi
Editorial Department – Sanjay Gharat, Shakti Hasija, S.N.V. Ramana, Kireet Rathod, Joginder Singh Varna
Makeup – Ulhas Adnekar, Aamir Bhat, Mangesh Desai, Rekha Gurav, Deepak Kharade, Tariq Ahmed Wani
Tahaan, movie review