Haraamkhor

Haramkhor : This is a strange film! Throughout the 94 minutes, I was completely engaged in the film, watching the story unfold, yet when I came back home, I found multiple layers to the story. The title of the film is “HaramKhor” yet director Shlok Sharma rightly treats his characters as they are, with all their frailties, without being judgemental about them ( I m presuming the declaimers were put just to please censor) . The disclaimer talks about exploitation, yet I was not too sure if the film was meant to be on exploitation or the story of the loneliness of adolescence, the desire to have a companion, be cared, be physically close and the complexity of it all. If Sandhya would have been 18 years 15 days instead of 15 years then the entire arc would have been different. So, then it is a story about age.   That period of life when impishness of childhood is on its way out and maturity is just about setting in.  That period in your life when you feel the urge but don’t understand it.  And what happens when you meet someone who fulfills those desires, but you are not too sure of his intentions. But then was Shyam and Sandhya’s relationship exploitative? May be morally or legally, but I didn’t find Sandhya thinking it to be, till Nilu tells her that probably both of them have chosen the wrong man . Let’s go back to the “Age” discussion then. And if it is indeed about age then watch out for that ghastly last scene where this innocence of age is lost, where Kamal having lost his love and his friend mercilessly attacks Shyam.  

The characters have been etched out beautifully in Haramkhor and with the two child actors Irfan and Samad in full flow the film keeps you invested for most part of it.  Their chemistry and loyalty to each other is a treat to watch. Sweta Tripathi , who played an endearing character in Masaan , picks up the complex character of Sandhya going through myriad emotions . Nawaz as the village teacher Shyam is absolutely natural with his mannerisms. The cinematography captures the heartland of Madhya Pradesh. And I loved the scenes where the camera pans on to the empty fields and windmills, probably reflecting the emptiness inside and continuous churn.  

However my problem with Haramkhor is its inability to delve deeper. It could have explored the complexities has it decided to scratch beneath the surface. Yet it is a bold attempt that deserves a watch.  So go and find the Haramkhor, is it Shyam or Mintu or Kamal or the judgemental society that jumps to a conclusion. To each his own!