Unfulfilled love (Shailaja and Omana)

11/1/24

Unfulfilled love (Shailaja and Omana)

2023 belonged to masala entertainers and one saw people returning to the theatres to watch movies like Gadar 2, Pathaan, Jawaan, Animal, and Tiger 3. There were many regional hits like Jailer, Leo etc., which also did brisk business.

Most of the megahits of 2023 would be forgotten in a matter of days. None of these movies have the ‘stickiness’ to stay with us for a long time.

2023 also gave us gems like ‘The Three of Us’ (Hindi) and ‘Kaathal – The Core’ (Malayalam) which somehow failed at the box office. Commercial success and critical acclaim are two different things altogether. It is the latter which elevates any creative person. We now get an opportunity to watch such movies on OTT. Over a period of time, word of mouth publicity, and some honest critics do their bit, and these films get talked about. There would be many movies who don’t get any recognition at the box office but gain a cult following on OTT these days.

With an unlimited bouquet of Hindi, English, and regional movies to choose from, we now have a problem of plenty.

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Recently I watched two films which made a deep impression on me.

‘The Three of Us’, directed by Avinash Arun, boasts of a talented cast helmed by Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat with Swanand Kirkire in a supporting role. The screenplay is linear with no major twists and turns but what elevates the film is the brilliant performances from Shah and Ahlawat. These two veterans emote naturally and can hold their own against the best in the business. ‘The Three of Us’ is shot extensively in Vengurla and makes a strong case for Konkan tourism! 

Shefali Shah is presented like never before. She is Shailaja Desai, a middle-class woman married to Dipankar Desai, an insurance consultant, brilliantly played by Swanand Kirkire. They have a boy studying at some undisclosed location. After many years of marriage, Shailaja is diagnosed with retrograde amnesia. A despondent Shailaja then decides to go on a trip to Vengurla where she had spent a few years of her childhood. Dipankar accompanies her on this trip. Shailaja has some fond memories of Pradip Kamat, a dear friend from school. She wants to revisit parts of her childhood before her memory completely withers away. There is pain and also a desperate attempt to hang on to the past.

As the film unfolds, we realise that there was mutual attraction between Shailaja and Pradip but their love remained unfulfilled because of circumstances. The two of them, along with Dipankar, visit their favourite haunts and acknowledge that life could have been shaped differently only if one of them had opened a line of communication.

Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat have probably given their career’s best performance yet. Towards the end a forlorn Dipankar asks Shailaja if she was ever happy during their marriage. He finds the comfort shared by Shailaja and Pradip jarring leading to inevitable comparisons. Many marriages are similar. Couples stay together because of commitments made to each other and because of the human quality of staying faithful. Most do not stray.

‘The Three of Us’ is about achieving closure. It is also about rejuvenating our bonds. It is about giving space and about acceptance. It has many tender moments in which a lot gets said without uttering a single word. Dipankar gives the necessary space to Shailaja and though hurt at some level, doesn’t give up on his wife. Pradip’s wife (Sarika) supports him to the hilt and even encourages him to help his childhood friend as much as possible with no hint of jealousy or doubt. 

This movie is not for everyone. It has neither any crass comedy nor any song and dance. There aren’t any heroics or crowd-pleasing dialogues. What we get is a slice of life drama presented in a beautiful way. This movie, and specifically Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat may not win any awards, but their performances will remain etched in the memories of those who have watched it. 

(The Three of Us plays on Netflix)

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Thanks to OTT, South Indian cinema was a big revelation to me. I used to think of these dark skinned, obese performers with amusement. It was purely my ignorance and prejudice. I am now realising how wrong I was.

I had vaguely known of Mammootty – the 72-year-old veteran of Malayalam movies but was completely oblivious of his body of work. Recently I read about ‘Kaathal – The Core’. I got curious and decided to watch the movie when it started streaming on Prime.

Regional filmmakers score over mainstream creators as they have the courage to experiment with new subjects. I still get goosebumps when I think of Vijay Sethupathy’s portrayal of Manickam/Shilpa in ‘Super Deluxe’.

I cannot think of any leading Hindi star acting in a movie like ‘Kaathal’. Mammootty not only acted, but also produced this thought-provoking film. This is a tale of unrequited love.

Mammootty plays Matthew Devassy, a person married to Omana, who is brilliantly played by Jyotika. They have been married for twenty years. Omana, to her disappointment, realises very early in their union that Matthew is gay. She pesters him for a child, and they have relations only for this purpose for a brief while. 

Matthew is shown to be uncomfortable with his sexual orientation and is unwilling to acknowledge his preference. Being forced into matrimony by his father, he was unwilling to consummate the union. However, Matthew is a very considerate family man. He is a good provider. Omana has feelings for her husband but feels trapped in her marriage as she remains unacknowledged and perhaps unloved.

Matthew’s torment is visible when he comes to know that Omana has filed a divorce petition. He tries to talk her out of it but Omana doesn’t pay heed to his pleadings. Matthew is shown as a candidate for some local elections and wants to avoid controversy at any cost. And yet, he accompanies Omana to the court and doesn’t utter any word of disrespect against her. That scene where he holds Omana’s purse while she gives her testimony in court, tugs at your heart. Matthew is a good man at his core. Matthew feels some guilt about neglecting his wife and is torn by his unacknowledged love. His alliance with a vehicle instructor is hinted but they are never shown together. 

Matthew and Omana have a progressive, young daughter, who supports her mother.

At the end, Matthew, his father, Omana, and Matthew’s alleged love interest find closure. Matthew, after consulting his daughter, decides to come out. At the end he is shown accompanying Omana to meet her prospective groom. Matthew and Omana have feelings for each other but just aren’t husband and wife.

‘Kaathal’ is written and directed very sensitively and no where do we find any vulgarity.

Mammootty and Jyotika are phenomenal.

‘Kaathal’ plays on Amazon Prime.