Amal
2007 · Directed by Richie Mehta
Original language: Hindi
- drama
The story
Autorickshaw driver Amal is content with the small, but vital, role he serves - driving customers around New Delhi as quickly and safely as possible. But his sense of duty is tested by an eccentric, aging billionaire, who, moved by Amal's humility, bequeaths him his entire estate before passing away. With only one month to discover and claim the inheritance, Amal's struggles with duty and wealth are threatened by all those around him - from a young injured beggar girl and a lovely store merchant, to the danger of the old man's upper-caste friends and siblings, all seeking to claim their share of the riches.
What it’s like
Soft, sun-washed daylight over crowded Delhi streets, with handheld camera work that stays close to the people in the autorickshaw and lets the traffic blur and hum around them. The palette runs warm: dusty ochres, faded saffron, cool shade under awnings. Its mood is gentle and bittersweet, a little wry, with an undertow of unease that grows as greed gathers around a good-hearted man. The pace is unhurried, built on conversation and small domestic moments, with the score kept light and melodic and quiet during the emotional beats. Violence is minimal and off-screen; the tension is social and moral rather than physical, and there is no gore or sexual content. The central arc follows a humble driver learning to hold his dignity and his sense of duty against people who want his fortune, and the film rewards viewers who like character-driven stories about class, kindness and temptation. It suits a slow weekend afternoon or a thoughtful evening watch, especially for those who want something tender and reflective without sharp edges.
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