Aisa Yeh Jahaan

The 2015 Indian drama film, Aisa Yeh Jahaan, is at its core a biting social commentary on the ever-expanding rift between human beings and the natural world. The movie harnesses the talents of Yashpal Sharma, Ira Dubey, and Tinnu Anand to weave a story that beautifully encapsulates the essence of urban lives and the alienation associated with it. This cinematic masterpiece is directed by Biswajeet Bora and produced by Maya Kholie under the banner of Kholie Entertainment.

Set against the backdrop of bustling Mumbai, the film focuses on the bustling life of the city's middle-class families. It primarily revolves around the lives of the main characters, Rajib Saikia (Yashpal Sharma) and his wife Ananya Saikia (Ira Dubey), both hailing from Assam, who are trying to carve a life for themselves and their young daughter, Kuhi, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Rajib is an overworked marketing manager in a pharmaceutical company, while Ananya is a homemaker, trying hard to fit into the cosmopolitan lifestyle, despite her rural roots.

Well-executed performances by Sharma and Dubey lend an air of believability to the struggles of their characters as they try to navigate the modern way of life, all the while yearning for a connection to their roots and the natural world. The movie offers an insightful commentary on the modern generation's disconnect from nature, buried under hectic schedules and the blinding pace of urban life.

Tinnu Anand, who plays the role of Pakhi, the family’s household help, is a standout in the movie. He mirrors the plight of the poor who, despite being uprooted from their natural surroundings, are neither completely at ease in the city nor able to return to their native places. Pakhi, who is from the rural area of Assam, represents the sorrowful dichotomy of India's urban-rural divide.

Kuhi, Rajib, and Ananya's young daughter, adds another layer to the narrative. With her innocent naivety and curiosity about the world around her, she forces the adults to question their disconnection from the natural world, adding a poignant touch to the story.

Aisa Yeh Jahaan is a beautiful film that forces you to reflect on the superficiality of the consumerist culture while invoking a sense of nostalgia for the natural world. It confronts viewers with deep and heart-rending questions about the changing values of society. And about the growing chasm between the modern world and the natural world which was once inseparable from human existence.

Songs and background score composed by Palash Muchhal play a pivotal role in shaping the emotional journey of the story, creating a soundscape that reflects the dichotomy of urban struggles and rural simplicity. These enriching lyrical treats subtly amplify the film's all-pervading theme.

Biswajeet Bora beautifully takes advantage of cinematography to tell a visually rich story, contrasting the concrete jungles of Mumbai with the breathtakingly raw beauty of the rural areas of Assam. The director also intricately uses the elements of humour and pathos to script a cinematic narrative that is as beautiful as it is thought-provoking. Bora's effort marks a significant step towards environment-themed films while stepping away from the cliché-ridden commercial track making it a unique and rewarding viewing experience.

Not just a movie, Aisa Yeh Jahaan is a journey that takes the audience through a multitude of emotions, making them laugh, cry and introspect while forcing them to think about their responsibilities towards nature and the world. Despite its heavy themes, the movie is a refreshing treat that holds the ability to connect with a broad range of audiences. This is a film that viewers of all age groups would enjoy and appreciate, as it offers a rare convergence of entertainment and enlightenment. A story of facing our disconnection, it is a cinematic reminder of our forgotten roots, invoking longing for a simpler era when we were more attuned to nature.