Noblemen

STORY: When Shay lands a coveted role in his school’s annual play, it leads to him being bullied mercilessly by his seniors. As much as he would like to hold on to his part, it gets increasingly difficult for him and soon things spiral out of control.

REVIEW: Seniors, students Arjun (Mohammed Ali Mir) and Baadal (Shaan Grover) call all the shots at their boarding school, Mount Noble High. There is a strict code of seniority and the junior students almost always toe the line, barely defying the school bullies despite a strict watch by the House teachers and the Head Master. Because no one wants to be called a ‘rat’ or a snitch, which is perceived to be worse than bullying by the students.

When a shy and sensitive Shay (Ali Haji) is picked by his drama teacher, Murali (Kunal Kapoor) for the role of Bassanio in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, the play to be performed for the school’s 50th Founders Day, the bullying just gets worse for him. All because Baadal, son of a movie star thinks he fits the role better. And when Murali makes him Shay’s under study for the role, all he has to do is get Shay to refuse the part. But when Shay’s quiet determination to play his character makes him disregard Baadal’s wishes – the price has to be paid. First by his best friend Gunzu (Hardik Thakkar) and then eventually by Shay. And when a well-meaning Murali steps in to sort things out for Shay, things take a murky turn.

As preparation for the play continues, Murali urges his students to shed their inhibition and channelize their anger with the thought of avenging or revenge, one of the central themes of Merchant of Venice. At one point when he says ‘Theatre imitates life’, little does he realize how fateful his words will turn out to be.

Noblemen addresses school bullying head on – and gives a very graphic picture of just how brutal it can get. And the psychological impact it can eventually have on one’s mind. It also tackles confusion about one’s sexual orientation, homophobia and the pressure to fit in. The pace does lag at points but overall the film headlines some very important issues.

As the students - Ali Haji, Muskaan Jaferi (as Pia), Hardik Thakkar, Mohommad Ali Mir and Shaan Grover deliver fine performances slipping into their roles effortlessly. Kunal Kapoor is charming and effective as Murali. And Soni Razdan as Shay’s mother is spot on as always despite her limited screen time.

Winter and the backdrop of mountains, makes for the perfect setting in ‘Noblemen’ as an unpredictable twist and the end of innocence makes its way here.