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First, the Recap:
A mislaying of memory and the immeasurable puissance of time-tempered devotion. In dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of affection and connection with someone that endures the ravages of time, it can become that much harder to face any reality threatening to steal it away. Even as we age and our bodies begin to show the signs of time’s relentless hand, the adoration between two people can remain intact, no matter the circumstances, and reveal the path to its lasting influence. For an older couple, Jagjivan (Vikram Gokhle) and Suru (Revathi), it has been a 50-year span of true commitment and ever-present fondness. However, when Suru’s mental state is showing building signs of deterioration and Jagjivan’s doting concern arises, the wholly unanticipated arrival of a young man named Ali (Prashantt Guptha) into their lives initiates a journey of transformation, healing, and renewal of all that makes love’s road worth maintaining–and remembering.
Next, my Mind:
In the years this critic has become immersed with opportunities to take on South Asian cinema, there consistently remains an inherent resonance the genre bears which transcends “the norm” and instead delivers a fresh, uniquely executed format that simply and so often reverberates with genuine emotional potency and well-produced, intelligent, meaningful narratives. As such, this trend continues with full strength and impact via the newest feature film effort from writer/director/producer/editor Rajesh Bachchani and producer Pamela Roy Chowdhury, conveying a story that submerges the viewer into the richness of sincere, indelible love, life’s trials, trying to see the good in all situations, discovering the blessing of foundational human connection in the most unexpected conditions, and possessing the fortitude to stand firm in the face of adversity through unwavering fidelity. In short, this is one fantastically presented piece of cinema that also provides a balanced mix of drama, romance, humor, and life lessons South Asian projects are frequently, in my opinion, known for. They do it right, folks, they do it right.
In making the cornerstone of the tale a long-standing married couple who have now found themselves enjoying their twilight years with the same all-encompassing degrees of infatuation, warmth, and attachment for each other (as it should be!) they’ve had from the start, it then allows the exploration of so many of the facets involved in relationships that make them what they are AND are intended to be. From little instances of inevitable yet undeniably playful bickering, realizing at times there are smaller yearnings that haven’t been fulfilled but are still desired, and seeking that innate assurance of being valued by the other person, to wonderfully heartening moments of pure elation of just having your best friend close, it’s the beauty of everything real love offers. However, the film doesn’t shy away from tackling harder realities amidst this, including the harrowing factors involved with dementia, being haunted by demons of the past, the despair of watching someone fade away before you while being helpless to prevent it, even the specters of history itself, all of which end up forming key elements that have influence over the primary characters here yet lead to a finale that will absolutely hit your heart and soul with a magnificent cascade of stirring emotion.
Additionally, the side story that introduces the character of Ali, who quite literally stumbles into the couple’s lives, adds a further, tangible, wholeheartedly realistic factor to the unfolding portrait of human interconnectedness as it was designed to be, even if the circumstance that initiates it is played more for humor at first. Yet, as we see what begins as an awkward and comical relationship morphing into one that ends up so acutely altering Suru’s journey in particular, I felt it was a necessary reminder to us all about just how significant, compelling, and eloquent of an experience it is to find that unfeigned kinship with others that this world so desperately needs, especially now in the day and age of COVID-19 and the isolation it has caused. How Ali’s character becomes such an immersive presence really brings extra leverage to the aforementioned thematic turns the film pursues. The cinematography is masterful, with gorgeous panoramic shots of the story’s exquisite principal location setting while also intimately embracing the characters in a manner and visual tone that makes it all so relatable and moving to view. Tack onto this the always-brilliant utilization of music as only South Asian cinema delivers, highly emotive and atmospheric, creating that perfect ambiance to the specific scenes it accompanies each time.
Gokhle and Revathi make a completely believable and marvelously charming couple via an obvious chemistry that oozes from the screen via their respective roles as Jagjivan (aka: DJ) and Suru, a pair of from childhood-present duo whose love has never lessened, even when DJ is being genially, optimistically, and gleefully cantankerous, hence making Suru the quickly forgiving but sometimes hilariously exasperated recipient of his consistently joyful moods. But, when things turn serious and DJ is then confronted with his beloved wife’s slowly growing instances of dementia and the actions he must take to calm her frayed reality, it’s both profoundly heartbreaking yet filled with such a strikingly tender ardor he has for her that it just makes you feel and empathize with every moment portrayed. As hinted at above, what makes it work so well is the pure realism that both actors engage us with from the start, making the characters accessible and charismatic. Gokhle’s delivery is so delightful and amiable, as befits DJ’s demeanor while Revathi’s Suru is elegant and graceful as well as so affectingly dynamic and convincing when showcasing Suru’s unsettling bouts with the dementia attacks. It’s the core level of supreme talent both veteran actors possess that makes these roles so worthy of watching.
But, let’s not at ALL forget or neglect Guptha’s quietly strong, persuasive, fully entertaining, and likewise well-acted and enacted turn as Ali, a younger man in dire times only trying to obtain that which he needs to care for his family but going about it in not quite the best of ways. Caught by DJ and Suru, Ali quickly becomes the target of Suru’s insistent hunt for “justice” against him via making him do random tasks to “earn” his penance. However, while Ali’s at first enthusiastic then gradually building reluctance to comply with Suru’s demands threatens to boil over (albeit jovially so in the film’s context), there ends up being a surprising turn in his involvement with her that forms a bond and friendship which becomes a healing balm for them both in many ways. It’s so endearing, full of palpably natural interactions, and Guptha embodies Ali’s dispositions through them all with definitive grace and poise that just draws you in. Additional appearances are made via supporting roles from Anaya Shivan as a young neighbor girl along with Neetu Chowdhary and Jeetu Vazirani as her parents.
In total, “Love You Bahut Saara” grants us a consummate illustration of unconditional, enchanting, deep-rooted romance between two people while displaying the potential perils of age, facing the past, and ultimately conquering life’s obstacles. May we strive to live this prosperous in soul, this free in spirit, this forgiving in action, this understanding with those we cherish, and this abiding in unceasing love, ALL of which IS possible when we’re willing to intentionally seek it out, be open to its pull, and discover its indissoluble beauty.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
Fantastic story line n so very realistic.