When the invite for watching ‘The Blueberry Hunt’ came, I was not very keen. A day before, I had stumbled upon an interview of Naseeruddin Shah, in which he junked the movie, saying he regretted doing it.

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When an actor like Shah is bad-mouthing a film in which he himself is the protagonist, the film has to be bad. Pity the director. So, my first thought was to call up Anup Kurian and cancel the programme. Also, I have not heard about him before, though his first film ‘Manasarovar’ did well in the festival circuit. In the end, I watched the movie – more out of curiosity as to why Shah said what he said. 

Here is the storyline

A man with an unknown identity grows highly potent marijuana in his remote estate in Kerala, in a last chance to get rich. As his crop gets ready for harvest, his life turns topsy-turvy.

The film, no doubt, portrays Shah in a very different role. All we know about him is that he is called Colonel. It has no more than 15 characters. Everyone appears for just for a few seconds or minutes – except for Shah, his

German Shepherd and debutante Aahana Kumra. After Shah, his pet, which has appeared in more than 40 films, is the most experienced character. 

There are no songs and dance, but the plot and visuals have a flow about them. There are no laboured efforts to bring in twists and turns. Barring Aahana and the dog, all main characters are after Shah and his marijuana. Shah, too, seems to have only his crop in mind, till he tells Aahana something towards the end. 

A low-budget flick, made out of Rs25 lakh or so, it is unpretentious, yet gripping. The only disappointment is that the camera could have been given a bit more freedom, especially since the set is the scenic Vagamon jungles of Kerala. 

As I am about to discuss this with the director, he interjects: “Did you notice that shot where Shah is jumping off a rock? I cherish that. Guess why?” 

When he tells me that Shah did that without the help of a dupe, it intrigues me. If the 66-year-old jumped on his own from a 40-ft high rock, he might as well have enjoyed doing the film. Then why did Shah ridicule the movie? “I haven’t asked him. It’s his opinion. We’ve met even after that.” Then, he is all praise for Shah. Shah acted for free. Shah brought in Aahana. Shah’s hairstyle was his own idea. Shah made improvisations.

Once back home, I type in Shah and Blackberry Hunt on YouTube. I come across a clip where Shah is hailing the movie. That’s it.

I enjoyed watching the film. I believe you too will when the movie is released this Friday. As for the contradiction in Shah’s opinions, well, I will ask him if I get to meet him.