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First, the Recap:
What is it to be considered “royalty”? Do we find it means the blatantly entitled elite who quite literally bear the official designation and birthright to be princes and kings, born to rule over others? Or, can it become a lesson in needed humbleness and a realization that all that one might BE empowered to take on the mantle of isn’t at all what it seems–or possibly even worth pursuing? Thirteen year old Junaid (Svar Kamble) has a heritage that would make him considered a sovereign, inheriting a rich familial tradition. Upon coming with his parents Afsar (Shataf Figar) and Mariam (Ekavali Khanna) to his ancestral home in Lucknow for the very first time since being raised in the U.K., what unfolds becomes an overpowering study in privilege, firsts, secrets, lies, heartbreak, and simply growing up that will unapologetically alter Junaid’s outlook on everything around him and what the future will hold.
Next, my Mind:
What some might expect to be an idyllic portrait of familial integrity, an awakening to one’s journey into manhood, beautifully elegant gatherings, and the soundness of witnessing a richly significant legacy about to pass on to the next holder of the proverbial crown, while assuredly present here in foundational thematic principal and execution, this indie feature film from director Kumud Chaudhary, writers Arshad Jafferey and Syed Tabrez Pasha, producers Siddharth Anand Kumar and Vikram Mehra, co-producer Tariq Umarr Khan, plus executive producers Shoaib Lokhandwala, Nitin Nair, Gaurav Sharma, and Sahil Sharma ultimately veers sharply into a tale of deeply hidden falsehoods coming to light, entrenched patriarchal traditionalism arising, and a slow but steady loss of innocense and the deconstruction of unity amidst a multi-generational engagement as one young boy tries to make his own destiny against fixed expectations and pressures. The screening I took in was a part of the 2021 Virtual South Asian Film Festival presented by Toyota USA, supported by AARP, produced by Jingo Ventures, and in association with DFW SAFF & NYC SAFF.
Far more than just your average, run-of-the-mill narrative, the film depicts a teenager’s introduction to the community of the elite he’s been born into with an unrelenting, hard-hitting level of emotional intensity that sees notions of the weight of overbearing parents, the sometimes shaky road of first love, the understanding of what you’re supposed to be vs. who you actually want to be, fractured relationships, and other highly potent and often jarring life lessons that not only showcase the pitfalls and confusion of the adult world, but throw into question the entire concept of “nobility” and the façade it can place on our hearts and souls when the root of it isn’t genuine, but founded on deceit instead of genuine honor as it should be. It is a decidedly raw, unflinching glimpse into just how corrosive old wounds left festering can suddenly come back to haunt you, and the film is brilliantly masterful in the layers of sobering revelation it delivers that illustrates this.
By the time we have reached the film’s finale, already quite breathless from the roller-coaster ride of unfolding chaos we’ve witnessed, the next beautifully written unmasking occurs that places a truly definitive, unwavering, harshly reverberating clang of dissonance against what could have somehow been a charming (albeit STILL dysfunctional) story of a boy coming of age, but rather chooses to punch us in the gut one more time for good measure. It’s what makes awesome cinematic works like this the worthy efforts they are, though, and I send copious amounts of admiration to indie filmmakers who aren’t afraid to go to places like this to allow the messages portrayed impact the viewer strongly. I will also say, though, that after ALL of this has been presented, the absolute final moments of the story are triumphant, again given all that’s happened, and it does leave you with a sense of gratification that perhaps SOMEONE will get out of this mess having learned much the hard way, but for their future benefit and better decisions to be made.
Kamble exudes a perfectly performed blend of irreproachability, unassuming virtue, understandable naiveté, and just enough rebellious/frustrated attitude to be someone just entering their teens through his role as Junaid, a boy being involuntarily thrust into a world he’s never known, in a country he’s never been to, and a reality of privilege he’s not at all certain he desires. Encountering all the dynamics of being a teen boy while at his ancestral home, Junaid has more than his fair share of moments to say “yes” and “no” to the opportunities being presented to him while he at least makes the effort to try and comprehend the amount of esteem both he and more so his father and held within. But, when all these ideas of what it is to be honorable and noble get shaken to the core, Junaid has to face the choices that will define him going forward, and watching the adeptness at which Kamble navigates his character through this is so magnificently impressive, fully realistic, and both inspiring and heartbreaking, a HUGE credit to this young, very much rising star.
Figar and Khanna utilize the wealth of their acting experience and bring that air of apropos authoritative regal-ness to their roles as Junaid’s parents, Afsar and Mariam. Afsar’s direct lineage gains him the levels of status he maintains, and this comes into play in great quantity once they arrive in Lucknow to his parent’s home and the trappings his royal title provides. Yet, underneath the surface may lie other past decisions that will threaten to undermine all he is supposed to be and pass on to Junaid, and Figar presents this character with a wonderful strength and vigor that befits the role. Likewise, Mariam, while a doting if not slightly stifling mother to Junaid, carries herself with a like level of influential sway that may or may not be the bane of others in the extended family present who have less than good opinions of her. Yet, she stands firm for who she is and tries to support Afsar as she should, though how long this stands could come into question. It’s a quietly but fervently commanding presence Khanna infuses the character with throughout, again, a credit to Khanna’s acting prowess.
Primary and very key supporting roles are MANY here, including acting veterans Lalit Tiwari and Sohaila Kapur as Junaid’s grandparents Nawab Gauhar and Sakeena who represent the current heads of the family empire being portrayed whom must soon weather the storms of discord that begin to arise at their home. Plabita Borthakur is a force of nature in her performance as Junaid’s cousin Fauziya, the free spirited wild child of the clan with whom Junaid falls hard for, and whom has her own secrets that befit her mischievously charming, physically beautiful, but inwardly damaged persona. Rajshri Deshpande brings an initially muted but no less fiery earnestness as Gauhar and Sakeena’s house servant Asghari, who has seemingly endless reasoning to resent everything the family as a whole represents but for what has yet to be divulged. Sadiya Siddiqui provides a totally heart-wrenching performance as Afsar’s estranged (even shunned) sister Gullo, who makes an emphatically distinct impact on the events as they unfold.
Falaq Naaz is so superbly impeccable as Nafisa, the total opposite in overall personality of Fauziya yet who could be another holding on to veiled truths, and whose pending wedding has been the prime catalyst for the family to all gather in Lucknow. Akshay Oberoi brings playful bravado to the table as Armaan, a man truly driven by his status and ego, and who has always had eyes for Fauziya and whose exuberant pursuit of could be his downfall. Ayush Tandon is Imraan, Asghari’s son and Junaid’s “teacher” about life and all the things he feels his young protégé should and should not try to become a man. Additional supporting roles arrive from Neeraj Sood, Tulika Banerjee, Vibhuti Thakkar, Mehnaaz Shroff, Midhat Khan, Shabi Jaffery, and Aman Malhotra. As with any spectacular ensemble cast, this critic wishes he could expand more on everyone’s performances, but hope it’s understand the full out novel that would ensue might be a bit much. Just know you are all sincerely acknowledged and appreciated.
So, in total, “Chote Nawab” is a exemplary indie feature film that more than explores all its facets through consistently engaging drama, a touch of playful romance, a bluntly vivid, candid view of the trials that life, lies, and human interaction can yield, the pains of growing up, and the conclusive potency of standing tall for who and what you really are and aim to be. Basically, it’s one of those films that we could all, if we’re being honest with ourselves, learn something from that’s purposefully applicable to our own paths.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
