Story: The film explores how Alzheimer’s affects not only the person living with it but also the caregivers, including family, friends, and attendants.
Review: One is all too aware of the spillover effect — when a family member falls ill, the entire household suffers. And when the condition is as severe as Alzheimer’s, it can take a toll on the caregiver and other loved ones’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In this movie, Raj (Pravin Singh Sisodia) is fading away, but those close to him are just as affected. This includes his US-based son, Kiran (Ricky Rudra), his friends of forty years, Dr Deepak (Ajit Shidhaye) and Samuel (Amit Behl), and his house help, Kamla (Priyanka Upendra).
The story follows Raj’s deteriorating condition and how it impacts everyone around him, even when they are not physically present. While Kamla bears the brunt of Raj’s outbursts and frustration, Samuel struggles to see his once dynamic and bright friend lose himself. So does Dr Deepak, who must also make some tough decisions as his doctor. The most poignant, however, is Kiran’s reality, as he sits thousands of miles away, monitoring his father, feeling helpless, and dealing with the guilt of possibly sending him to an assisted living facility. The scenario is relatable — Raj thinks everyone is conspiring against him to lock him up in an asylum. To avoid this, he throws away his smart watch with a GPS tracker and has a meltdown every time they try to move him. What makes it even more aching is that he has forgotten his wife, Sudha (Zarina Wahab), has passed away, and thinks it’s still COVID days, and she is quarantined in another room.
The film has many tender and poignant moments, such as Raj trying to take his own life but forgetting about it, and later thinking Kamla tried to die by suicide. Another affecting scene has Deepak and Samuel counselling Kiran that he need not feel guilty about sending his father to a facility. What many consider abandoning one’s parents can sometimes mean ensuring round-the-clock care and attention. The film also portrays the lack of accountability and apathy some attendants show towards such patients.
While it’s a serious issue, the narrative deftly infuses humour and does so with sensitivity. Kamla’s personal life and troubles at home are woven into the story without detracting from the core narrative.
Pravin Singh Sisodia is top-notch as Raj and handles the serious and humorous parts with panache. Priyanka Upendra, Ajit Shidhaye, Amit Behl, and Ricky Rudra also deliver strong performances as the rock-solid support system someone dealing with the condition needs. Their equation with Raj will touch the viewer’s heart.
Although the film lacks a proper story and mostly depicts day-to-day life, the narrative works well, despite its intermittent slow pace.