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It is said that no one quite beats the overseas diaspora in celebrating the culture of the Indian subcontinent – cinema included. With Bollywood inadvertently being considered a genre in the West (when it ideally should not be), director Fawzia Mirza spins a fascinating tale around its golden days. One that chronicles the complex ties in a Canadian-Pakistani family, The Queen of My Dreams has a lesbian woman named Azra (Amrit Kaur) at its epicenter.
A generational tale, the film shows us the surprisingly glam life in 1969’s Karachi. There is a marriage, an immigration to Canada, growing up in a multicultural setup, and living life as a queer person. In a story that oscillates between a mother and a daughter, the former’s courtship with her husband (Hamza Haq) becomes the film’s most exciting angle. The Queen of My Dreams runs in a non-linear narrative with Kaur playing the protagonists at different stages of their lives.
Becoming a major visual catalyst and the third most significant element in the setup is the Bollywood actor Sharmila Tagore in her iconic film, Aradhana. The film’s popular ballad, ‘Mere Sapnon Ki Rani’ (literal translation of the film’s title), lends the much-needed soul to Mirza’s story. Its iterations appear at various points with different characters – accentuating its exotic appeal and the region’s rich culture. Mirza also introduces us to the amusing arranged marriage culture in the subcontinent. With Wes Anderson-like framing with register the repetition, the brief sequences remind us of Sachin Kundalkar’s goofball comedy, Aiyyaa.
A large part of The Queen of My Dreams focuses on two things: One is Azra dabbling between different universes (the one at home and one outside of it) in Canada. The other is the girl’s discovery of her Muslim roots and the prevalent patriarchy and orthodoxy of her home country. We feel her angst when the customs reprimand her from taking part in a burial service. The projection of a group of qawwal singers in the city center as an allegory is amusing and evocative.
The film’s queerness is mostly catalytic as it never becomes its central theme. It avoids examining the cultural and familial impact of the leading character’s sexual orientation in depth. That said, there are mentions and clever bits that throw light on the subject (the best one being Azra wearing a white pajama while arguing with her mom).
The Queen of My Dreams benefits richly from its proficient lead cast. Amrit Kaur in a twin role is wonderful as she lends energy and conviction to the characters’ unique rebellions. Nimra Bucha is delightfully hysterical as she represents every South Asian mother ever. Hamza Haq, in a comparatively shorter part, is an instant charmer with a winsome smile and a gait straight from the bygone era. The 1969 chapter featuring him and Kaur spreads classic rom-com delight.
Fawzia Mirza’s screenplay does not delve deep into issues. It renders The Queen of My Dreams a subtle ode to intergenerational conflicts besides paying a beautiful tribute to Bollywood. Matt Irwin’s camera captures the past and present episodes with style and vibrance. Duly supported by Michael Pierson’s production design and Alysha Brilla’s apt original score, Mirza’s film emerges as an effortless watch.
Rating: ★★★ 1/2
