“Awaara” strikes with its unique visual structure and the hidden layers of meaning that become apparent once delving into its characters and plot lines. Although the main elements seem to lie on the surface and offer a rather basic story with a revenge subplot, the concept of everlasting love, and the presence of a redeemable character, “Awaara” also offers several subtler messages. For example, some of the more obvious denotative elements of the movie,, such as the choice of the soundtrack that matches the characters’ emotions, do not interfere with the ones that are concealed, such as the lighting that often conceals a part of a character’s face during a dramatic scene.
In addition, one should mention the effect that the masterful use of camera produces on the movie. In fact, the overall camerawork seems stunning to me since it allows holding the viewers’ attention on each character without making any of the shots still or lifeless. In turn, the narrative structure of “Awaara,” which is mostly represented by a linear model frequently interrupted by songs, allows for a strong emotional impact. The lighting mentioned above is quite impressive; however, what strikes most about the structure of “Awaara” is its use of the mise-en-scène. In the scene where Rita dances, the focus is kept exactly on her, which is quite natural for the described scenario; however, in the dimly lit corners, people, primarily men, look at Rita with suspicion and reproach, with their faces concealed in the shadow, which adds a unique flair of threat to the film. Thus, despite its age, the movie utilized the available tools for highlighting key messages in the narrative in the most efficient way possible.