Short Film Review “The Other Side” The pursuit of dreams, rising above class, and selfless acts rule the day in director Nikita Hattangady’s newest short film
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
The pursuit of happiness. The yearning for finding that place of absolute satisfaction, where we just know that all we put our hands to is a benefit to us, making us realize that the work we’ve put in has all been worth the efforts endured. Yet, what if this degree of satisfaction keeps eluding us, or the situations we think are “the ones” only end up falling short? Add to this just wanting to be true to who we are within as well. Can we muster the courage to keep going when all is failing around us, and along the way, even be of help to others, too?
In the bustling and intimidating city of Mumbai, a new arrival in the form of struggling but determined artist Jai (Swapnil Kanase) seeks his way, even as so much works against him. But, when an initial moment of unexpected heroism brings him in contact with a local girl named Sarita (Arpita Ghogardare), it could signal a change in Jai’s stars for the better. However, even as the pair push their way through a storm of ups and downs, with Jai’s doubts still intact, another facet of who he is begins to shine forth….and could spell a new catalyst for a shared journey of dreams.
Next, my Mind:
Anyone who’s followed my work over the years knows I do have a serious passion to support South Asian film, especially as an American critic. There’s a tangible benefit in allowing oneself to absorb another community’s work, as it not only tends to reveal their sense of originality and fresh approach to stories presented, but YOU also learn about another culture, which in itself aids in being able to appreciate what you’re viewing and comprehend the perspectives conveyed. As such, when it came to this recent opportunity to watch the new short film from writer/director/producer Nikita Hattangady and executive producer Ashutosh Hinge, I felt confident before the first scenes began that I would be in for a grounded, affecting, credible portrait of the human condition and our deep need for not only attempting to better ourselves, but others as well, regardless of race, color, or “class”, or creed. To say the least, this is precisely what I got.
Straightforward in its presentation, genuinely profound in its messaging, and simply engaging on all levels, the narrative which sees an artistic young man heralding from a poor community arriving on “the other side” to the booming city of Mumbai and his subsequent journey towards self-realization while altering the lives of those he meets and becomes attached to, THIS is EXACTLY the kind of underdog success story we need to watch, ponder, and be challenged by in order to, ideally, take steps to BE the kind of selfless individuals as is depicted here. Furthermore, it is this fashion of narrative that I personally pray we NEVER grow tired of either, for there’s already enough anger, hatred, and self-serving behavior in this time we live in that WHY we would ever wish to contribute MORE of THAT instead of discovering the primary underlying thematic concept this film conveys…..COMPASSION….is frankly enigmatic to me.
What I always admire, though, when filmmakers address this notion is that it isn’t brought across as if “Oh, life is just smooth sailing” etc, etc. No, life can assuredly be HARD, and not remotely without its trials and pitfalls we must be willing to push through in order to GET to that which is beneficial and fulfilling for us. But, let’s take this a step further and give stirring and affirming notice to what it is to actually see BEYOND ourselves and the goals we wish to attain in order to HELP OTHER PEOPLE along the way, EVEN if it sometimes means putting ASIDE our own ambitions FOR the sake of THEIR successes. I simply relished the manner in which this film chooses to showcase this, not willing to sacrifice life’s realities while manifesting a winning, credible, and fully inspirational story that resonates in your heart, mind, and soul with a warmth and sincerity that feels like a blanket of goodness by the time the BEAUTIFULLY executed finale arrives.
All said and done, we could more than safely argue the film really comes down to being a captivatingly astute exposé centered on the core idea of a person coming from “the other side of the tracks” as it were and proving that it IS possible to rise above one’s original station while planting the seeds of altruistic drive into others along the way. Visually the film very much embraces the city in which it mainly takes place in, an illustration of both the vibrance and tumult found within its borders and which our lead character must confront. The sheer scope of Mumbai’s span is amazing to witness, but how it promotes both a sense of awe AND a sense of intimidation relative to the film’s themes is palpable through the imagery. Plus, as with almost any South Asian effort you watch, the music score is imperative, and here it is filled with the anticipated atmospheric, ethereal, and touching wonder to enhance the emotive quality of the scenes it accompanies.
Encompassing a range of softly and more overtly present emotional ranges that deftly create an ambiance of persevering vs. the desire to surrender, trial vs. triumph, and fostering hope in the midst of others doubting, it all melds together to form the performance provided here by Kanase via his role as Jai, a young man from a poor village community who comes to the big city of Mumbai to see a dream come true. Immediately swallowed up by the metropolis’ immensity of joy and hardships, Jai’s efforts to become the artist he wishes to be soon begin to seem like an impossibility. But when a moment of choice occurs that brings him into contact with a local girl named Sarita, she becomes a muse of sorts, a voice of reason, and a force that will cause Jai to push harder, find the willingness to see that even when obstacles and roadblocks continue to arise, it doesn’t mean hope and dreams are lost, and impact others’ lives to amazing extents.
The charming understated nature of Kanase’s delivery here just draws you into every instance his character is encountering, a portrait of such an innocent soul being swept up in all he is wanting to achieve, facing the hurdles, being knocked down but rising up again thanks to those around him who are those springboards for Jai to keep going. Kanase is simply BELIEVABLE as Jai, a winning performance breathing life into a HUMAN character that we can relate to and cheer on. Likewise, we then have Ghogardare, who also delivers a performance that’s steeped in credibility, enchanting delight, a small touch of sass, and a totally apropos air of assuredness and positivity that completely befits the story through her role as Sarita, a local girl whom Jai meets in the aftermath of his moment of heroism. As she learns more about him, the connection between them grows, and her own dreams soon start to fuel his motivations as well as her perspective on her life.
It’s the intermixing of encouragement and challenge that Sarita offers to Jai that makes her character one to root for just as much as his. But, what I also appreciated was when her efforts to gain good things for him gets upended when his actions sometimes totally contradict her intent for doing what she did, causing her to experience the questioning of yet learning from his selfless acts. It brings a realistic degree of “conflict” between them at times, but only serves to solidify Sarita’s ongoing purposes to see Jai succeed and soar, showing that no matter where you’ve come from, it doesn’t have to dictate your worth or ability to win. Ghogardare’s whimsical nature, carefree demeanor, perfect self-assuredness, and undeniable charisma all form a performance worth noting. This leads me to then state that the chemistry between the two actors was evident to me, and this also so adeptly helps enhance the film’s messages and relatability factor for us as the audience.
Supporting roles are present from Devansh Mundada, Samir Kazi, Sudhir Barkul, Rahul Mahadeo Jeeragal, Radhika Kulkarni, Yashpal Sarnath, Puneet Sharma, Ganesh Gaikwad, Sagar Pawar, Vinayak Kusurkar, Falguni Chaudhary, Bhushen Tayde, Pradip Yadav, Rahul Chokhande, Shreyas Dalvi, Anish Patil, Aditya Gaikwad, and Deepali Gaikwad among many others. Congratulations to all of you and every extra who deserve the acknowledgement for your parts to play here. So, in total, “The Other Side” is the indispensable, feel-good, soul-moving, yet persuasively and provocatively thought-provoking story this world needs to see and receive, hopefully inspiring us to never give up on what we want to accomplish for ourselves, but more so to do it with a mindset to influence and guide others excel right alongside us. May we seek to surround ourselves with such people that this world might just become a more creative, supportive, and amiable place to live.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
