Sir Analysis

 Is Love Enough? Sir (2018)

Written and Directed by: Rohena Gera
Starring: Tillotama Shome, Vivek Gomber
Streaming on Netflix.

It has a simple premise. But an edgy one. An unusual attraction grows between a rich architect, and his maid - but social barriers come in between. The film sticks to the premise, without any meandering. The characters are fleshed out beautifully. By the difference in the way they look at things, Ashwin and Ratna - I could understand how much of a role social status plays in the way we think. Generally, privileged people are the ones who don't believe in god. They believe in free will. Ratna says when asked whether she believes in god, 'Kabhi kabhi, karna padtha hai'. Ratna is mostly quiet. I was reminded of all the maids I've seen growing up. I realized that being able to express ourselves is also a privilege. Her response to anything that's not a factual question is silence. This silence is what brings up the sexual tension in between them later. In the lift. In the house. When the both of them are quiet. Ashwin looking at her. Ratna looking down. They're a man and a woman after all. They're two souls. Fondness is likely to grow. When Ashwin says that he doesn't care what the people think, and Ratna responds by saying, 'But I do', that also tells us about how being individualistic is a different thing in privilege and underprivilege. We never understand if Ratna falls in love with him as well. Does she? Or did she just didn't find reasons to reject him?

There's a beautiful shot where we follow Ratna in a party, where she has snacks on a tray and see the world through her lens. People are talking, and they keep talking. I was taken aback by the way people don't even turn to say, 'No, thank you' and they just keep pretending as if she didn't exist. What hits brutally is that, since we know her - we root for her. But otherwise, we'd just be like those people. I was recalling if I was like that. I hope not. But I'll be reminded of this film from here on.