WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
With the loss of parents, no child should be expected to simply adjust, putting away recollections of the now-past experiences and unconditional love gained from being cherished so deeply. Yet, when this transition, wanted or not, arrives, how they choose to move forward and with whom guiding them will become paramount. As always, however, letting go will never, ever be easy. For a young girl named Erum (Saboor Ali), the realness of separation from parents has painfully come to pass. Destroyed by no longer having them as her source of comfort and teaching, Erum is sent to live with her Nanu, grandfather (Qavi Khan), who provides her with a beloved bond she latches onto unquestionably and irrevocably.
His “little sparrow”, the relationship they share grows more and more until the time comes when Erum’s new focus on studies dictates she leave her new home and adored grandfather for a period of years, which weighs heavily on each of them. Promising to remain consistently in touch via written letters each week, the two reluctantly part, both immediately feeling the impact of not spending time together as they had been. All seems well enough until one day, Erum realizes something has changed upon reading her most recent correspondence from her dear Nanu, and so makes a decision that it’s time this little bird fly home, where she and Nanu encounter a deeper connection than ever, though changing realities involving life itself must now be faced.
Next, my Mind:
We arrive back to an effort associated with the Children’s programming featured at the 2019 Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA, the heaviness of grief, the balm that is home, and the reality of life’s circle all come to the forefront in this 22-minute dramatically affecting narrative from director Ali Sohail Jaura, writer/cinematographer Mohammad Belaal Imran, and producer Haaris Pramani. In the span of its short runtime, the film fully encapsulates the potency of fear and sorrow at the loss of parents, the necessary healing that can come about when a new source of comfort and safety is established, the lasting connection we then share even when away from said source, and the strength of reuniting with it but having to face inevitabilities presented as well.
This critic found the thematic impact highly emotional, absolutely tearing up by the narrative’s soul-stirring finale, as the picture it is depicting for us is one that emphasizes the necessary bond between kin that seems like it’s being deconstructed in this age of turmoil than sought as the place of closeness, love, support, and encouragement we so desperately require to see strengthened and shared. The film also chooses to address its explorations of death in a poignant way, so as to make us realize that it is a part of life we cannot deny, but can find means to deal with, assuming we obtain the elements as mentioned above when it occurs. This is a story that likewise had further reverberations for me as it made me realize how much I wish I had taken more time to wholly connect with my grandparents before they were gone, and while it wasn’t in the same context as what’s depicted here, it struck me no less deeply that we tend to believe these are influences that will be around forever, when time has other, unrelenting plans we cannot prevent.
Additionally, the presenting of what one might call a token to be reminded of those we love and desire to remain connected to is delivered here as well, and that lends another dimension to the film as well. It’s all the willingness to treasure every possible moment we can, in whatever way presents itself, and not allow remaining moments to just slip away because we’re too easily distracted with other things. Ali is beautifully heartbreaking and quietly formidable in her role as Erum, a girl facing the kind of loss no child should ever long or hope for. Left empty and bereft of joy, her road leads to living with her grandfather Nanu, who takes her in and brings back the nurturing atmosphere she has been missing, filling a void in her heart and soul. Growing up under Nanu’s tutelage, the time arrives for Erum to leave the nest and head for opportunities abroad to further her studies. With both her and Nanu in a state of denial over having to now separate, they forge a promise of how to stay in touch.
But, when the time arrives that Erum realizes something has changed, she returns home quickly to reunite and face life. Throughout, Ali enacts these moments with poise. Khan, like the namesake of so many of the Indian film industry’s lumniaries, delivers an equally wonderful performance in his role as Nanu, Erum’s grandfather who makes the decision to take her in after the painful loss she’s suffered. Despite having to deal with the mild challenges of raising a young girl into her late teenage years, Nanu maintains his loving manner with her and forms a bond they come to treasure absolutely. When they must part to allow her a chance to spread her wings, his depth of sadness is palpable, knowing his love for her has grown as like a parent’s. As they correspond through their arranged means, it maintains that love until one day it becomes evident in his letters something is happening. It brings his beloved granddaughter home and allows them the tear-inducing moment the film finishes with. Khan totally embodies this character with effective believability and emotive grace.
An additional appearance is made by Shabana as Erum’s older sister Kiran. In total, “Nanu Aur Main” is one of those uncomplicated film efforts that simply allows the viewer to sit back and take in the character-driven drama as it’s meant to be, with emotional investment and potential relatability that makes independent cinema the hallmark for humanity that it is. Let’s value, honor, respect, and cherish every moment with our elders, for as mentioned above, time never slows down or waits for us to realize the beauty of what we’ve experienced, the ties we’ve formed, and the sharing of lives worth living.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
