WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Following the heart and the strength of its often unwavering resolve. We are torn between the validity of this idea vs. the warnings we hear about what happens if the choices we make are solely guided by it, with emotions sometimes overwhelming necessary, more logically determined courses to traverse. When it comes to the all-encompassing, potently prominent force that is love, however, will we allow anything to stand in the way of its blossoming? In an affluent neighborhood of Mumbai resides young, confident, highly successful businessman Ashwin (Vivek Gomber), son of an equally successful building contractor father, who’s no stranger to the more well-off, jet-set lifestyle his family’s, as well as his own, good fortunes and hard work have garnered.
Yet, unable to totally fulfill the void in his life when it comes to relationships other than fleeting romances and the course that a more serious one didn’t ultimately take, Ashwin’s attentions inadvertently begin to slowly turn towards his servant Ratna (Tillotama Shome), a beautiful widow from the villages who has her own pursuits and dreams of becoming a successful tailor. Yet, even as Ashwin faces challenges in admitting his attraction while Ratna battles her own unsureness about even feeling the way she does towards him, much less the affair even being accepted by anyone they know or the society around them, it becomes a question of whether true love can grow beyond ingrained conventions, traditions, standards, and expectations.
Next, my Mind:
Independent cinema absolutely shines when it fully embodies the beauty of human connection and/or attraction attempting to overcome the odds and find a way to flourish, and this is certainly the foundational bedrock that this feature film effort from writer/director/producer Rohena Gera, which I originally had the fortune to screen at the 2019 Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival, triumphantly stands on again as I revisit those thoughts with the film making another bow as part of the 2020 I View World Film Festival sponsored by the embassies of India, Canada, Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Argentina, British Council, and The EU, curated by Engendered Delhi, and in partnership with NYCSAFF. Delivering a narrative filled with a multi-faceted series of themes involving the heartwarming, awkward innocence of initial infatuation, the chasing of one’s dreams, the notion of heart vs. head, fear of perception and lack of acceptance, and looking to shatter the barriers between classes and castes for the sake of love, the film richly produces each and every one of these elements with emotionally-charged focus and intent, pulling the viewer wholly into the story of two people who aren’t supposed to fall for one another believably and with grounded, stirring, effective grace that brings joy to the heart, a tear to the eye, and a completely solidified conviction that love should ultimately trump anything and everything.
In saying this, it isn’t to remotely cast any negative dispersions against cultural heritage, custom, or observance, but rather to simply acknowledge that in cases like showcased in the film, there shouldn’t have to be those walls, hesitations, or full-on doubts barring two people’s attraction to one another. There’s enough anger, hate, and misunderstanding to go around already, why apply it further to matters of real endearment, devotion, tenderness, and mutually desired fondness that can bloom into something that encourages and heals, which are elements both characters involved here truly required, each in their own ways due to past circumstances, affectionately displayed both in times of mutually accepted adoration and in the moments of trepidation. The film is wonderfully shot, highly professional in its presentation as it embraces the characters and the simple, primarily apartment-set locale the story takes place in, though images that highlight the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, the Ganesha Festival, nighttime vistas, and the general modernity of the city are intermixed and quite stunning in their metropolis-based beauty, ultimately completed by the music score from Pierre Aviat.
I’ve commented on this many a time before when it comes to the qualities I personally enjoy in the performances by actors in character/narrative-driven efforts–the sheer effectiveness of understated delivery. Yet again this sentiment rings loud and true first in heralding Gomber’s role as Ashwin, a quietly reserved but passionate young businessman whose family’s success has been transferred on to his own work ethic and drive. More than clearly showing the fruits of his labors and said fortunes, the luxuries he affords don’t perhaps bring the total sense of self or satisfaction that he really yearns for, more just going about his business and busy-ness on autopilot while still trying to enjoy any sense of a social life, much less lasting romantic ties. When the most recent and ideally opportune chance for this arrived, things still crashed, and now living in the aftermath of it, the last thing he expects occurs–falling for his servant. Knowing it goes against everything his social status, family, and friends would approve of, Ashwin’s slowly pursued, wonderfully charming approach with Ratna is so overtly winning and even when a major wrench is thrown into the mix, he stands firmly with what he desires. It’s a completely winning performance through and through by Gomber, realistic and delightful to watch and be captured by.
Not remotely to be outdone in the utterly sweet, adorable, yet definitively strong and vibrant department, actress Shome is beautiful, believable, and totally engaging in her role as Ratna, a young woman from the villages whose found opportunity to work as a servant for Ashwin after becoming a widow and in need to support herself. While doing the best job possible for him, Ratna has her own defined ideas about what she’s aiming to become–a tailor. Managing to find the time between duties at Ashwin’s, she makes every attempt to learn more and more about the field, even though she still discovers roadblocks along the way, whether via the tailor shop owner who more treats her with a mild neglect rather than as a true mentor, or her sister who’s forgoing further education to get married, much to Ratna’s initial regrets. But then, as Ratna’s feelings for Ashwin begin to develop to the point where she believes it would be a possibility to actually gain his favor, her path becomes more tedious even as she makes some perfectly orchestrated moves to grab his attentions, being flirtatiously, humorously coy at the same time. When things reach their peak, though, the true test of what they’ve come to share is placed upon them. Shome has this grace and poise paired with her beauty that sells this character so well, and the realistic manner in which she portrays Ratna is heartfelt, graceful, and enchanting.
Supporting turns come from several actors, including Geetanjali Kulkarni, Rahul Vohra, Divya Seth Shah, Chandrachoor Rai, Dilnaz Irani, Bhagyashree Pandit, Anupriya Goenka, Akash Sinha, Rashi Mal, and Ahmareen Anjum among many others. In total, “Sir” is a well-crafted, excellently executed, heartstrings-pulling, emotively delightful indie drama that really does encapsulate the core essence of what it is to so unexpectedly fall in love, chase it with all your heart, and get to that absolute realization, as mentioned above, that nothing will stand it the way of it coming to life, providing a happiness and anticipation we might never have thought we’d experience.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
