WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
The hunt for relevance and recognition. It seems infused within our very being to desire acknowledgment, credibility, and respect from others, ideally not for mere ego, but more for the sense of worth and positive self-esteem we gain from it that then propels us towards further accomplishment and fulfillment. Yet, the seeking out of such success can be marred by others individuals or circumstances who we deem are against us. Therefore, do we rise to that challenge, or fall by the wayside? For one struggling actor named Aman (Mukesh Chhabra), the turmoil of searching out significance is something he’s only too familiar with. In this case, it becomes his obsession in preparing for a role in a play that could mean career advancement and greater opportunity.
However, even despite best efforts to practice the role he strives for, the play’s Director (Sunil Sinha) has other, initially less affirming notions about Aman’s abilities, which only causes his building frustrations and lack of encouragement to reach fever pitch levels. Unable to capture the deeper essence of the character he needs to grasp and make real, Aman’s attempts to get aid in his research from his concerned but wholly loving wife Aditi (Pooja Gor) turns from pleadingly frantic to all-out rage, and extremes in means to gain access to who he needs to become begin to consume Aman through and through. Soon, it becomes a study in whether Aman will truly achieve his lofty goals or fall into melancholy and failure.
Next, my Mind:
What very much strikes me about this newest short film effort from writer/director/producer Swati Semwal and producer Imran Furniturewala is that, for me, it became more than just the highly effective, emotionally-charged, well-enacted dramatic effort it is and showcased what I would term a hidden, very succinct “documentary” facet via highlighting the all-too-present realities of what being an actor is about, the trials it holds, the perseverance it requires, and the genuine adulation it can bring when the hard work pays off. Think of it as a compact, highly abbreviated Master Class for new actors to take real lessons from. Likewise, it’s a study in how much we need to realize our actions and words brought into being can have such an overt effect on not just ourselves, but those around us as well, which can either be utterly beneficial or otherwise unreservedly harmful, both concepts of which are astutely portrayed and explored in this film. Additionally, the narrative chooses to address ideas of how we wrestle with criticism, disappointment, and rejection, allowing raw, though well-intentioned, fervor get the better of us, experience the pain of seeing how said passion can actually hurt others, the physical and mental toll it entails, and the hardship of trying to become someone inside and out you’re really not for the sake of mastering your objectives.
But, in all of this seeming negativity, there’s the breath of freshness in the film’s final act that is so impactful and stirring, touching the heart and really providing the viewer with quite a bit to reflect on and apply in whatever ways it might come about in real life, which is the absolute beauty of character-centric, story-driven independent cinema like this. Yet, there’s a kicker at the ending as well that totally steers expectations of what is to come in quite a definitively different direction, which was a brilliant move. Still, it’s the relatability and totally grounded, believable scenarios presented that make films like this so necessary and affecting, while providing delicious twists to leave an impression and entertain. We even get a small lesson in masculinity vs. femininity as specifically applied to a male protagonist, and that in itself is an interesting examination when we live in a world where society wishes to dictate, even just in principal, that a man cannot have what most want to state are “feminine” traits. The utilization of the lead character’s journey here to make points about all of this is quite clever and deftly executed to very feasible, even if a little awkward for some, results when put into the context of the greater tale weaved here. Perhaps overall, it serves as a reminder to us all about identity or being able to identify to certain extents with both sexes as a man, which really becomes the core premise in many respects throughout this effort. Plus, as the film’s title indicates, we’re not JUST watching the story of an actor, but the story of a character he wishes to be deeply engaged in and understand for his performance.
Mainly known for being quite the master casting director of Indian cinema, Chhabra gets a new chance to present his well beyond proficient–and perhaps a little unjustifiably underrated??–acting chops in his role as Aman, a man who’s seriously driven, even to the point of total obsession, to gain a new level of acceptance and success in the acting world by nailing a highly relevant part in a new play. Taking on any possible task to find the nucleus of the character he’s to act out and embody it to the fullest, his ongoing labors begin to take a high price on not only himself, but everyone who happens to be in his circle of influence, mainly his wife Aditi, whose own internal boiling point he’s in danger of exposing. Yet, so blinded by his wounded ego and sense of worth, Aman continues down a dangerous path until a beautiful moment of revelation changes everything, causing him to see things as he should and reach for the stars in a new, much more rewarding and humbling way that also makes any needed reconciliation and newfound acclaim he experiences much more sincere, signaling a new journey he’s about to take. But, might there be something else lurking beneath it all?? It’s an uninhibited performance, filled with earnest, candid soul by Chhabra.
I love moments when I realize why an actor or actress looked familiar to me but I couldn’t place it and then realize who they are and enjoy the happy sensation of seeing them again. Such was the case for me with the exquisitely beautiful Gor, fresh off what I felt was a fantastic enactment as Sara Ali Khan’s older sister Brinda via the impressively powerful Bollywood effort “Kedarnath“, in her role as Aditi, a young and very supportive wife who only desires to see her actor husband realize his dream of becoming a much more noted presence on stage and, we’re sure by conjecture, on screen. However, her biggest challenges are to come at first, as Aman’s volatility while wanting to exhaustively understand the part he is to play and therefore the very nature of the character becomes so upsetting that she must release it somehow. Yet, the wonderfully tender moments she has with him are so quietly inspiring, painting that picture of love and devotion amidst long-suffering that’s moving and real. Will her total support of Aman now and beyond yield a stronger marriage, it is apparently so, especially in the equally moving appreciation she received when events have culminated to their apex. Then there’s the undeniably final moment where suddenly, she’s not so sure anymore exactly what the future might hold. It’s an unexpected ending, and watching Gor present that instance so expressively is a treat, lead up to that by the rest of her performance which is at once so charmingly endearing, then fiery and passionate, then calmly enchanting again, then–surprise!
The primary supporting role comes from Sinha as the play’s director who first seems Aman’s greatest critic until we realize he’s actually one of his most stalwart supporters who challenges Aman to become a better performer. Crisply shot and written with acute execution, excellent performances, uncomplicated entertainment value and a wealth of themes and life lessons to boot, “Kirdaar: The Story of a Character” stands as another shining example (as I do often say, but hey, it’s what I believe!) of what intelligently presented short film, and independent film, can accomplish. Seeing projects like this becoming more and more common out of India, plus being made by well-known faces in the country’s film industry on both sides of the camera, it’s also a testament to the world-wide appeal of filmmaking on this level and the talents who are drawn to its allure and, I completely believe, growing appeal.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
