Eeb Allay Ooo!

Eeb Allay Ooo! is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language film, directed by Prateek Vats. This sharply observed social satire is an unusual yet riveting narrative that tells a strong, hard-hitting story. The film features Shardul Bhardwaj in the lead role, supported by a cast consisting of Mahender Nath and Nutan Sinha. The film, an independent comedy-drama, is set in the capital city of India, New Delhi.

The film produces a unique take on social commentary and class divide through the unconventional narrative of monkeys in the city of Delhi. It provides insightful commentary on the contemporary labor market and the conditions of the working class in India.

The main character in the film, played by Shardul Bhardwaj, is Anjani, a young man migrating from his village in Bihar to join his pregnant sister and brother-in-law in Delhi. Anjani becomes a part of the large invisible battalion of migrant labor that comes to the bustling metropolis in search of livelihood. Out of work and out of luck, Anjani is forced to take a job as a 'monkey repeller' – a real government job in India, which entails scaring away the invasive langurs that plague government buildings in Delhi.

His job sets the tone for the plot and the narrative unfolds as Anjani finds himself at the bottom of the proletariat ladder. What keeps the viewer engaged is the internal conflict within Anjani - a man tasked with mimicking and scaring primates, something he is neither good at nor fond of. This job further alienates him from the society that has brought its own system where man replicates animal to remove them from places of human inhabitation, showing the dehumanizing aspect of labor.

The film tracks Anjani's journey through the bureaucratic lawns and buildings that contract him and his lonesome quest of self-articulation in a city that refuses to acknowledge him. The film, through its main character, reflects upon the troublesome ways in which rural laborers are integrated into urban economies - laughing at the absurdities while highlighting the grim realities.

Director Prateek Vats deftly employs satire and humor to paint a vivid picture of urban development that engulfs man, animal, and ecology alike causing a conflict with nature. He uses catchy soundscapes mimicking the langurs ("Eeb Allay Ooo!") which is used to shoo away the monkeys. These phrases add a poignant charm to the film, revealing the raw and beastly side of humanity.

Director Vats’ grapples about migration, nature in a city, power hierarchies among laboring classes, and the absurdity of various forms of labor are shown in a nuanced manner. The film adeptly captures the stark difference between a metropolitan and rural lifestyle, baiting the audience into a deeper understanding of societal structures.

Eeb Allay Ooo! also sets up an interesting comparison between humans and monkeys, forcing viewers to draw parallels between society's class structures and the animal kingdom's inherent hierarchies. It also highlights the hypocrisy of city dwellers who find the monkeys a menace in the day while worshipping them as the incarnation of Lord Hanuman in a temple.

The film’s cinematography by Saumyananda Sahi deserves a special mention as it strikes a balance between the tough documentary approach and sensitive storytelling, capturing the three main protagonists as a part of the landscape they find themselves in rather than people who populate it. The cityscape, including the iconic Qutub Minar and other remarkable edifices, are framed as silent spectators to the unfolding drama.

Supported by a brilliant performance from Shardul Bhardwaj as Anjani, every actor, even those in minor roles, helps create a believable world within the film. Shardul's portrayal of Anjani brings out the beautiful complexity of the character, never veering into caricature but imbuing him with pathos and subtle humor.

All in all, Eeb Allay Ooo! merges elements of absurdist comedy and social drama to create a fascinating depiction of the socio-economic dynamics in India's capital city. It is an inventive, thought-provoking film that highlights the harsh, often absurd reality of class struggles and urban survival. The film provides an intriguing, humorous, yet critical portrayal of the human condition in a hyper-modern world, making it a must-watch for film enthusiasts seeking something out of the ordinary.