Set towards the backdrop of a fractured interval in Indian historical past, Friendship An intimate depiction of a friendship that’s heat and soothing. Two eight-year-old boys, who’re neighbors and share a deep friendship, benefit from the small joys of life oblivious to the rising tide of communalism. Their innocence and love for one another are untouched by the rising mistrust round them. Providing a lovely and becoming panorama to his story is an idyllic Indo-Bangladesh border village in West Bengal, with broad, lush agricultural land and the Padma River flowing close by.
As the movie opens, they’re seen partaking in one of many biggest joys of childhood – making an attempt to outdo one another in throwing stones at Padma. The lives of Safikul (Arif Shaikh), son of a Muslim weaver and Palash (Asik Shaikh), son of a Hindu priest, are intertwined whereas enjoying and going to highschool collectively. They have just one instructor. Nevertheless, their households hardly ever work together with one another, though their properties are separated by a cane wall.
After the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the Bombay blasts within the early 90s, non secular tensions reached even this distant village. The Muslim group desires to construct ‘Chhota Babri Masjid’ and raises cash for it. The Hindus plan to consecrate the idols of Rama and Sita within the native temple. These developments are astonishing. In one scene, Palash’s mom even expressed her confusion over being pushed in the direction of the worship of Rama because it was not prevalent in West Bengal.
Though vaguely conscious of those occasions and uneasiness in the home continues to develop, Safikul and Palash produce other issues. They have to rearrange cash to purchase a toktoki (a small metallic toy that makes sounds); bunk courses for going to the truthful; And the enduring pose of Amitabh Bachchan from the wall poster. While they lose the kite struggle, as a substitute of being unhappy they surprise if their kite has floated in Bangladesh.
This is what makes childhood particular. By not understanding and never caring concerning the complexities round, one can create one’s personal world, a secure place. Together, the boys get pleasure from a play on the Ramayana in addition to the Eid competition. To their shock, they discover the actors enjoying Ravana, Rama and Sita smoking collectively, backstage. The boys are informed by the actors that they’re all buddies however fake to be enemies on stage to make a dwelling. There is a socio-political message there. But the movie would not attempt arduous to underline it.
At the guts of Dostiji (that is how the boys affectionately name one another) is their innocence. It infuses heat and freshness within the story. It gives a foil to the undercurrent of communal stress that threatens to disturb the peace of rural life. Chatterjee, additionally the movie’s author, by no means diverts his consideration from Safikul and Palash – not even after they have variations and do not speak to one another for a short while – though he makes us conscious of it. what the world round them is like. is altering.
The movie slowly touches on a number of points. While love and acceptance are broad matters, it’s also concerning the ache of shedding a cherished one. There are many types of bereavement and the best way the guts offers with loss might be unpredictable. Sometimes, it leaves behind delicate recollections or easy issues that one leaves behind.
Chatterjee’s alternative of actors, most of them non-professionals, work nice for the narrative. His worldliness provides an fascinating contact to the story. Sometimes it occurs that some scenes are staged. But it’s a small matter as the 2 younger lead actors carry the burden of telling this delicate story with their stellar performances. They make us imagine within the purity of our emotions, not corrupted by a polarized society. They additionally give us the hope that love could make the world a greater place.
Dostiji Movie Cast: Arif Sheikh, Aashiq Sheikh
Dostiji Film Director: Prasoon Chatterjee
Dostiji Movie Rating: 3 stars
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
