Review: Tribhangha

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Tribhanga (a dance form in Odissi) is a movie about relationship. Relationship of three generations. Relationships, which have seen it's nadir and also its moment too. Relationships, which have soured and have bloomed. All of this is captured and we see it all through the eyes of veteran actress and now turned director, Renuka Shahane. While early on and in the first 15 minutes we realize that Kajol's character (Anu Apte) is an extremely angry soul and she has her reasons to be. Surprisingly, she is also featured as an accomplished Odissi dancer (pity, we never see her performing anywhere through the entire length of the film; am sure there must be reasons) with a vexed past. The beauty of art and culture, I always thought makes you mellow, and encourages you to look at relationships and everything in a "giving" manner. Hence, her characterization looked out of place and in addition her listless performance, further makes it all the more jarring. Perhaps, here her mother's character played by Tanvi Azmi and that of Kajol's daughter, Mithila Palker's shines and makes the otherwise, sincere effort into some form of watchable sort. 

Tanvi's character as the ambitious mother plays out of well and her story of prioritizing her career in writing and especially in the conservative world of 80's was a slow burner affair which seemed to be brewing well. However. the suddenness of it all ending and fast forward to the current times with a set of disturbed children was indeed difficult for viewers to absorb. The grave issues of sexual harassments and ignored children and ambition taking forefront was making way for a strong narrative, yet somewhere, the spotlight felt back more on Anu Apte, letting down viewers. In addition, there seemed to be believability issues in the plot and certain moments where school teachers ridiculing students in front of the entire class or when Anu looks so angry and her use of cuss words are forced and empty. As viewer there are quite a few moments (of the kind) you shall see.

Another, aspect of Tribhanga is about the plot line; we know very early on or perhaps realize that in the end all of this will end and relationships would have improved. Where, the end is known, means are important. Subtleties, detailing and perhaps more time on building the characters (screenplay as one says) are important. Subtleties, a sampler; in a moment in the film, Kajol is asked by the nurse to hold her mother (now in coma) sideways, so that she can sponge her. We have already realized till then that there is distinct distance in the relationship. So, this small act for Kajol is difficult and it never came out in the characterization. Detailing, a sampler; Kajol is an accomplished Odissi dancer and an actress too. And that ends in the entirety of it as a "mention". And, it therefore makes it less believable. Character building another part that could have been done a little more. And you leave it to the actors to build on your own. Kajol and Kunaal Roy Kapoor fumble here and leave to Tanvi Azmi and Mithila Palkar to carry it forward.

Yet, Tribhanga has a message and also has a question too. Maybe as a viewer I raise that question; does a woman have to always compromise when she is a careerist and not in a traditionally garbed role, one that we are used to? I think, in Zoya's Zindagi Na Mile Dobara, Salman Habib (a brilliant Naseer) did not bat an eyelid leaving the pregnant girl for his career. Can a woman do that? Let it be best answered in the times we shall see. And the message, that Tribhanga leaves us with; as Mithila's character says; perhaps she wanted to have a normal existence in a "family" that has helped her making her choices. We all have our choices, and that is what Kajol had and so did Tanvi but they were wrong or may be right. We tried to look for those answers and may be we got it or NOT?. 

Tribhanga's duration could have been a little longer to build on those gray spots and perhaps, help us more to understand the "Apte" family. Especially, the men too since they helped these three ladies shape or break their personalities.  

Tribhanga premiers on Netflix. Go watch.       

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