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First, the Recap:

Confrontation. Skirmish. Battle. Facing altercations is never easy nor do they manifest guaranteed outcomes that lean in our favor. Not always coming about by our own choosing, the fortitude within us can be pushed, tested, and stretched to extents that will see us either fall to hard circumstances or ideally see the path to overcome.  As always, the question remains–which road will you tread? For up-and-coming boxer Kirnay (Samridhi Dewan), an initial victory is what she elates in, a bout whose ramifications have national standings and representation at her fingertips. Yet, situations involving her mother (Alka Chatwal) and an attempted arranged marriage proposal to fellow boxer Manoj (Kunj Anand) put not only Kirnay’s competitive convictions to the fire, but also the matters of her heart and the still so much frowned upon love she carries for beloved Kaveri (Astha Arora). Will secrets brought to light bring about further chains upon Kirnay’s soul and dreams, or birth a defiant freedom that could define not only her, but a nation.

Next, my Mind:

Watching an underdog, or at least someone who is being sorely underestimated despite their evident skills and proven abilities, is always a tale this critic never grows tired of. Once again, the concept is fully explored through this beautifully straightforward and emotionally-charged 25-minute short film effort from writer/director/producer/editor Kirnay Bhatt and producers Faraz Ahsan, Aansh Jagwani, and Bollywood mainstay Vikramaditya Motwane which screened as a part of the closing night film festivities at the 2021 DFW SAFF hosted by Jingo Media/Festival Director Jitin Hingorani and Festival Artistic Director Ambica Dev, sponsored by Toyota USA. As with so much of South Asian cinema in my experience, this effort delivers a convincingly potent mix of drama, social awareness, and foundational humanity, believably touching but also fiercely affirming and empowering.

Wearing its underlying thematic core that addresses the still controversial notion of same-sex relationships and the associated LGBTQ community at its heart firmly on its sleeve, the brilliance and weight of the film’s grander, well-executed narrative chooses not to be preachy with this deftly portrayed, highly necessary, and relevent message, but rather focuses on ideas of the price potentially paid for harboring lies/secrets, facing your fears, conquering them, standing unapologetically for who you are, proving your absolute worth, and leaning into and onto true love, all placed in the context of a world still haunted by blatant sexism, age profiling, and overt discrimination against the value, aptitude, and level of accomplishment a woman has attained (or CAN do so), especially in the world of sports, here via boxing. We should not grow weary of stories that usher in far greater respect for women like here for, to say the least, it is the largest of mistakes to discount the female perspective and its more than formidable competency, intelligence, and sway.

Additionally, there is the likewise never overdone (and desperately needed in this modern world) examination of what it is to be inspired while in the midst of trials that make their best moves to keep you down and break your spirit, with the means by which this is illustrated here, ultimately during the film’s final act, bears both humor and a very tangibly stirring, influential strength that we as a viewer should find it hard pressed not to be purely moved and, well, inspired by. Being willing to deeply accept one’s own identity to the point of knowing there really is nothing that is going to hold you back from achieving what you’ve set out to do always carries with it this innate authority and even sovereignty over our soul when allowed to burst forth with a constructive pugnaciousness that leads us to then discover our total significance and liberation as a person, and by this film’s make-you-want-to-jump-up-and-yell-“YOU GO!!” finale, the belief is validated to magnificent degrees.

Other ideas like arranged marriage, parental expectations, the ego-centric male figure, and the resistance by contemporary young women (and it can be men as well, mind you) to much of this are also given their fair say here, very often portrayed in many a South Asian project. The film is gorgeously shot on location in Manali, Himachal Pradesh and provides us with some stunning natural scenery during specific moments that take your breath away. Dewan explodes onto the screen with both quietly boiling and then stridently impassioned intensity through her role as Kirnay, a 30-year old woman on the cusp of very well-earned greatness via boxing that sees her gain the ability to represent a nation with her prowess. Yet, not finding the support she needs through a mother who wants nothing but to marry her off and see the boxing dreams fade, Kirnay turns to her love Kaveri for ease and comfort.

But, as circumstances build, and everything begins to close in on her, it’s up to Kirnay to find the tenacity, mettle, and resilience to weather the storms and do as the film’s title dictates. Throughout, Dewan’s superbly natural, grounded, and relatable performance captures you wholeheartedly, making you feel all the emotions her character experiences in fantastically feasible ways. Arora beings a disarmingly charming manner to brightly shining life in her turn as Kaveri, Kirnay’s partner and engagingly positive encourager who likewise has a fiery side that rises up when needed. Trying to allow Kirnay the opportunity to come clean to those around them about the nature of their relationship, Kaveri is forced to make an initial decision that will guide events to a critical juncture, changing both her and Kirnay’s lives forever. It’s a completely lovable character that Arora brings about, provided with grace and poise that garners notice from beginning to end.

Anand brings about the style of character that we soon love to hate through his turn as Manoj, a seemingly humble, ordinary man looking to settle down as Kirnay’s husband-to-be by arrangement of her mother, who feels it’s a perfect match since he is also a boxer. But, as Kirnay shows deep resistance to the thought of their union, Manoj’s more domineering/controlling side wells up, filled with a purpose to “fix” her in order that she will be the wife he expects. As events unfold, it could spell disaster for him should he maintain this course, and Anand so perfectly embodies the almost dual personality the character possesses with finesse and intent, again making for an utterly believable performance. Chatwal is a portrait of veteran acting adeptness and experience via her appearance as Kirnay’s doting yet demanding mother who believes she’s doing the best for her daughter without remotely being aware of all the facets of Kirnay’s life there really are and what impact it will have on them all.

Supporting appearances arrive from Shubham Pamecha, Richa Shukla, Munish Dev Mohan, Naina Thakur, Sparsh Agarwal, Gaurav Sharma, Sohina Singh, and Vishal Pandey. In total, “Keep Punching” holds it’s “overcome the odds and stand tall” banner high, reverberating with a viable, conclusive resonance that assuredly allows us to not only find excellent gratification from the film’s messages, but perhaps a newfound realization that no matter what challenges may lie in front of us, we can get up, stand fast, and state “BRING…IT…ON!!”. With the “Rocky” theme playing in the background, of course.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!