Nirbhandam Analysis

 Nirbandham (2020)

Written, Directed, Edited, Produced, Shot, Color, Music, Stunts, Production Design by: Bandi Saroj Kumar
Available on YouTube in the Pay What You Wish model.

It's an anthology depicting different stories set during the lockdown. The film follows a gang, who are rapists, and criminals. This film has one of the most authentic depictions of criminal gangs and rapists in India. It's horrifying. They don't use any visuals, or gore - all of it comes through the dialogue. The usage of slang is so powerful and so dominating, because in Telugu - we have a lot of slang and cuss words that people use in real life, which we don't use in pop culture and cinema. Whereas in english films, I think they casually use slang in pop culture. The authentic portrayal of the criminals comes through in every detail - the dialogue they use, the way they talk, think and react to different things and people. The cinematography is raw, and it matches the tone of the film. There are a few very interesting shots, one is the shot of a cracked glass of the car, and another horrifying shot, is the shot of rods at the rape scene - the shot subtly reminds us of what humans are capable of, reminding us of the horrifying incidents in India. 

The character arc was also convincing - he doesn't change overnight with a speech, he changes gradually - when he is proved wrong multiple times. Something happens inside and the feeling of disgust and hatred towards what he did, and his past self is visible. The stories of migrant laborers is also made in an empathetic way, and not in a sympathetic way. The girl who is trying to go on a cycle all by herself - her dialogue is so authentic. She isn't being a victim when she's going through all that hardship, she is being proud and she is fighting with all her spirit. It's interesting how everything comes together at the end. Some people are complaining about the subject matter being so dark, and the same people happily watch Mindhunter and Ted Bundy on Netflix. They can complain about the craft, or stuff like that - but the film is supposed to make us feel uncomfortable and it does. This being a tough film to watch, with the subject matter - the ending lifts our spirits. The film is cut so tightly and with the music being used at almost every scene - the film flows so well. I was reminded of Raatsasan for the pacing.