WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Virtuousness. Impeccability. Decency. Pure. Can it be stated with all assuredness that these terms are associated with the reality that is children. Regardless of expected tantrums and generalized mischief, there is a innate innocence children carry that is undeniable, so many times seen in the way they approach life and all that surrounds them. When it comes to a child with demonstrated talents who is then thrown into the chaotic realm that is the entertainment industry, however, will that light, purity, and blamelessness suddenly get stricken from their world? For eight year old child star Tanvi (Divya Raturaj Chavan), being thrust into the limelight has been fulfilling, or so she might try to convince herself.
Ultimately longing just to have the opportunity to be what she really is–a kid–Tanvi finds that the pressure and pace placed upon her by her mother (Anahita Jahanbaksh) accompanied with the expectations of the current serial director (Abhey) and creative director (Maahi Khan) she’s working for have become overwhelming. Still attempting to maintain her focus on school studies in between her designated shooting schedule , things are not helped when other adult actors (Swati Semwal & Apeksha Pundir) talk about the ugliness of the business in its attitudes and actions towards women in front of her while treating Tanvi with a mild neglect themselves. Even when filming, watching the male lead (Raj Singh Arora) and his demeanor between takes makes her doubts grow, wondering if she’ll ever be happy–or free.
Next, my Mind:
As one might ascertain from the film’s title, this is only the beginning to a grander narrative centered on a young child actress and her warily expanding immersion and initiation into the ever-popular, coveted, yet potentially shady, unsavory, conceit-heavy, and volatile world show business simply is. Executed with a sense of absolute and unapologetic boldness in depicting the entertainment world’s pitfalls and sexual politics even as it applies to a child thrown into it, concept writer/producer/actress Swati Semwal and producer Imran Furniturewala, this time with screenplay writer/director Ashish Shukla and screenplay writer Akshendra Mishra, once again deliver a purposefully transparent and affectingly unyielding glimpse into this story of innocence slowly being lost that paints the all-too-real portrait of the dangers child actors must face and have to contend with while only wishing most likely to have the basic opportunity to BE a kid and do the activities that kids do. Yet, the pressures placed upon them are so vastly beyond what any child really should endure, that it does put into question whether it is best to be much more mindful on the part of all the adults involved, parents to the directors and crew, as to what limits should be established to govern what these young stars are exposed to, at what pace, and to what ultimate length of time even from a career standpoint.
This is not at all to dissuade children’s talent from being showcased, as this critic has seen some absolutely epic performances from child actors over the last several years, but still, they are just kids and allowing them to have a life and some sense of normalcy should assuredly be built into the routines, traveling, shooting schedules, et al. Now, in this film, some aspects of this are demonstrated, but the total scope of thematic intent is still to give an unflinching view of the harmful effects “the business” has on a young mind, some obvious, others by conjecture or reactions/body language. Also, what puts an even larger exclamation point on this story is watching a tension-filled finale where the young actress suddenly snaps at her younger sister when coming upon her trying to “doll” herself up, which in turn so deeply impacts Tanvi to then lash out with conviction based on what she’s already been experiencing and is now feeling to toll of. What will be interesting now is to see exactly how the story unfolds beyond this point when “Part 2” eventually gets released. As with Semwal & Company’s previous efforts, the film is beautifully produced, visually professional, and accompanied by a varied music score that always suits the themes and atmosphere of the story being presented. I personally always look forward to their efforts, as Semwal especially seems keen on making not just entertaining material, but socially, culturally, and very humanly relatable, real-world content that addresses issues that truly need to be brought more into the spotlight. It raises awareness without being overtly preachy or contentious about it, which is excellent.
Given the film’s overall gist, and speaking of child actors who do exceptionally well at such a young age with their chosen art form, there shall be no getting past or denying the total quality of performance given here by Chavan as Tanvi, an 8-year old prodigy whose work in ads, TV, and film has already gained her notoriety and placed her as an “in demand” actress. Yet, within it all is her longing to attend something as simple as a birthday party for a best friend, which becomes a point of building moments of friction between her and her mother, a woman clearly under the “dance Mom” spell with a driving, adamant, mildly “angry” approach, perhaps to make sure her daughter’s success is for more than just the child’s well-being and benefit. Not saying there’s no genuine love there, but Tanvi clearly shows her weariness at being constantly hurried along by not just her mother, but all the crew and directors involved in the current project she’s on. In the meantime, while still trying to grasp not being there for her friend’s celebration, Tanvi’s embracing of school studies draws the playful but no less cynical and real disregard-filled notice of two adult actresses who then proceed to dish about the sleaziness of the business for women and children, much to Tanvi’s consternation. Events culminate and spill over to a boiling point when Tanvi, looking for a simple moment of much-needed respite from it all, discovers her beloved younger sister making herself up, triggering a gut-level reaction from Tanvi that speaks volumes to everything she’s actually battling inwardly and outwardly herself. Throughout the film, Chavan utterly sells every moment the character encounters with real emotion, real energy, and a tangible sense of what child stars face and must either overcome or be swallowed up by. It will be a highly anticipated return to the character for the young actress when “Part 2” arrives, and that is something to very much look forward to.
Primary supporting roles appear through Anahita Jahanbaksh as Tanvi’s overzealous mother who, as stated above, definitely could use a little exercise in control and what it means to listen to your child and take off the rose-colored glasses for a spell to just allow her daughter to be the child she is, Geet Kaur as Tanvi’s charming younger sister Jhanvi who gets a little lesson herself in just how the showbiz realms can impact someone’s attitude, Abhey as Tanvi’s current acting gig’s serial director, Maahi Khan as the creative director on set, Apeksha Pundir and Swati Semwal as the adult actresses who display both taunting and admonishing demeanors towards Tanvi, and Raj Singh Arora as the male lead actor in the project Tanvi is working in. Additional appearances are made by Jatin, Gaurav Sharma, Akshendra, Manish Mishra, Shanu Verma, Vikrant Massey, Sumit, and Shima Parekar. In total, with its wholly cautionary tale objective and resolve out in force, “Framed: Part 1” stands as another winning effort from Semwal and associates and this critic is personally grateful to continue to see independent filmmakers, producers, writers, actors, and crews whose goal is to create the necessary, intrepidly portrayed narratives that have a true influence and which reverberate the fact of just how powerful the medium of film is on the masses.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
