Gargi (2022)

Gargi (2022)

Written and Directed by: Gautham Ramachandran
Starring: Sai Pallavi
Streaming on Sony LIV. 

It's one of the most gripping films I've seen in a while. It carries nerve-wracking tension throughout. It's a must watch. The film has a terrific premise, it's about a woman whose father is accused of raping a minor girl, and when no one is ready to take the case, an assistant lawyer, with a stutter agrees to take it up. The story has strong antagonism, with all the public hatred and ostracization, and the lawyer being a newbie and with a stutter, the protagonists are underdogs. I love the tone and the pacing of the film, it allows for terrific tension and clarity in every scene. Along with the mystery slowly unfolding, the film also explores the psyche of every character going through such intense moments in their lives - right from the victim's father to Gargi's family. Gargi is a very inspiring character, especially her resilience and her patience. I think Gargi is a really good hero figure, because resilience and patience are the qualities we need to survive in the modern world and not skills like physical strength. 

Spoilers ahead. Do watch the film before reading further. The film beautifully subverts all expectations. With all the subversions I've seen in Malayalam cinema, I kind of saw this possibility in the beginning. But the way they showed Gargi's love for her father and her conviction about him made even me completely erase that possibility from my head. And when the final reveal happens, I could hear my heart pounding. I was shattered at the plight of Gargi, and when finally she herself talks to the girl and stands by her when she's identifying him, it again shows how much of a hero she is. The scene where she talks to the uncle, and he has a tongue slip, the scene was written so well - there is a lot of small talk in the scene and it almost feels like a build up to a terrific reveal. The best part about films like this and Jana Gana Mana, is the conviction with which they present all possibilities. Now because of the conviction in this film, even though the man was actually the rapist, the film also talks about how public's conclusions could possibly ruin an innocent man's life. The film inspired me on so many levels.