The Love Chariot

Pushpak (English title: The Love Chariot) is a dark comedy film released in 1988. Set in some large unnamed Indian city (shot in Bangalore), the film is based on the king-for-a-day story. The film is notable for its inventive recasting of the silent movie form.

Though shot in colour and featuring incidental noise, the film does not have any dialogues. However, unlike classic silent movies, there is no portrayal of characters mouthing dialogues; instead, the cinematographic strategy aims for silence by avoiding scenes or shots where a dialogue may arise and by camera placement that rationalises for the inaudibility of any dialogue.

The film follows an unnamed, almost penniless and unemployed youth (played by Kamal Haasan) whose fortunes change when he stumbles upon a millionaire drunk by the roadside. What follows is a comedic roller-coaster that parodies the state of the society.

Because of its modern reinvention of the silent film form, effective blend of slapstick comedy and dark social satire, an unconventional ending and Kamal Haasan’s commendable acting, the film was lauded by critics (including those of the Cannes jury) and has come to be considered as one of the greatest South Indian films. The film was not proportionately well received by the general public and is relatively unknown. The film is one of the highest rated films in IMDb, rated 9.5 out of 10 as of February 2007. —wikipedia