Director: Gaurav Madan
Cast: Gyanendra Tripathi, Bhumika Dubey, Geetika Vidya and others
Where: In theatres near you (limited release)
Rating: 2.5
Based on the last death photographer, director Gaurav Madan brings a tale never heard of before in his first indie-feature titled Barah By Barah. With the obligatory release in limited theatres, the film is far from the commercial aspect and entertainment value. The 118-minute film is lengthy and shot at much ease that is disturbing.
The film comprises of six chapters— Barber, Son, Friend, Behen, Last photographer and Death, Life, that depict the pain of a person, who takes care of his ailing father, a homemaker wife Meena (Bhumika Dubey), who is longing for his love, his school-going son and a working class sister Mansi (Geetika Vidya), who is trying to mend her pending issues with their father.
Sooraj (Gyanendra Tripathi), death photographer at the popular ghats of Benaras, makes his living by capturing dead bodies. His life turns upside down when his father dies and bound by his profession, he performs the rituals. After he realises his diminishing career, he moves to Delhi along with his family, only to realise his click to get framed at an exhibition.
Gaurav, who aims to tell a story that is unusual in its own way, doesn’t seem to have found its way through smoothly. An uneasy screenplay is the barrier between the characters and their purpose of existence. The film could have been easily chopped off by around 40-50 minutes.
Barah By Barah has a stark resemblance to Adil Hussain’s Mukti Bhawan but the latter has more similarities to mainstream cinema. Gaurav might have not wanted to go that route, simply.
Gyanendra is honest as Sooraj but the film that leads to screen fatigue ruins his intention of a convincing act. Geetika Vidya is so brilliant that despite shorter screen time, she wins hearts in her breakdown scene. Bhumika is watchable.
Barah By Barah is a hardcore indie film that tests your patience every now and then but Gyanendra is to watch out for.
