#Titli : There exists two India.
One that is suave, progressive, an India that is surrounded by malls & multiplexes,
that drives Mercedes, which talks about digitization, enjoys the benefits of
economic liberalization, promotes or at least pretends to endorse feminism. And
then there is another India , that struggles everyday to meet two ends, that
takes pride in patriarchy , where relationship tend to become dysfunctional .
While we may carelessly ignore it, yet both the places co- exist. Several obnoxious
slum windows in many cities open straight into the skyscrapers built just
opposite to them. Beneath the superficial harmonious co-existence lies the
vulnerable aspiration of many who want to escape away from a ruined present and
create a better future.
Growing up in the latter India,
just a bit away from an India that seems shining, Titli’s constant effort was to break away from his family and the
world of crime. His quest is for a life with dignity and his dry eyes capture
his quest hauntingly. But is it just about escaping from a weird family or is
it also about letting go the morbid values he has inherited from them or from
the society he has been part of. Is the quest just for escaping to a better world or to become a better
human being? In his pursuit to lead a better life and accumulate money for it,
he too manipulated and allowed himself to be exploited till he realized the
transformation could not be complete unless the “means” to achieve it is right.
In spite of a bit over indulgence
Kanu Behl’s direction is scintillating. He brings out the gut wrenching chemistry
of a disjointed family that leads its life in an absolutely unapologetic way. In
the struggle for survival, in the world of aspiration, remorse doesn’t have a
place. While his elder brother Bawla cries, Titli listens to it indifferently
and his wife sleeps peacefully. There is an emotional vacuum everywhere. Relationships
are based on needs. Titli takes his wife to meet her love Prince. While they
make love, Titli waits patiently in the living room- like the display furniture
in the model flat he too is not part of the standard fixture!
Ranvir Shorey has given the
performance of his career and Shivani Raghuvanshi as Neelu is the show stealer.
Shashank Arora’s desperate eyes reflect his inner suffocation. Yet as Titli ,
this constant expression doesn’t do justice to his talent. Namrata Rao’s
editing could have been better.
Titli is not an easy film to
watch, yet it is an important film that needs to be watched. It reflects a part
of society, we ignore blissfully. It is a powerful film that showcases family
in a way, very few films, barring Udaan have dared to present.
I will go out with 3 out of five
for Kanu Behl’s gut wrenching Titli. Go brace yourself and fasten your seat
belt. This for sure is going to be a turbulent flight!
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