You know what makes an actor?
The desire to perform. Nothing else matters.

The Last Lear is yet another addition to Rituparno Gosh’s long list of critically acclaimed films. Based on Utpal Dutt’s play, Aajker Shahjahan the film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Arjun Rampal.

Contrary to its name, “The Last Lear” is in fact a series of firsts for Mr. Bachchan. It is the first time he is acting in a full-length English language film. It is the first time he is playing the role of an actor who is doing a film within a film and it is the first time he has written some dialogues himself!

The film was shown at 2007 Toronto Film Festival and has already received rave reviews. Some critics claim this is the best performance of Big B’s career.

Synopsis:

Harish Misra (Bachchan) believes he has already done everything possible in the world of film. Vain, passionate, and terminally strong-willed, the enormously talented retiree has abandoned the world of cinema and retreated from the modern world to the comforts of his lavish study. Despite his determination never to return to the screen, however, Harish is eventually persuaded to return to film by ambitious young director Siddharth (Arjun Rampal).

But once on set, Harish simply can’t relate to the younger cast members, and scoffs at the artifice of contemporary cinema.
The Last Lear becomes a captivating reflection on the comparative artifices of stagecraft and cinema.

[Spill.com]

Let’s hope “The Last Lear” gives a kick start to another year of great cinema.