Gone Kesh

Gone Kesh, a 2019 independent film directed by debutant Qasim Khallow, gracefully shoulders the formidable task of dealing with a rarely spoken subject - Alopecia, the medical term for hair loss, affecting the protagonist. Prominently featuring Shweta Tripathi in the lead role, supported by distinguished actors like Jitendra Kumar, Vipin Sharma, and Deepika Amin, it becomes far more than just a story about a girl losing her hair.

Enakshi Dasgupta (Shweta Tripathi), a young girl living in the quaint town of Siliguri, West Bengal, is a dreamer. She finds solace in dance and aspires to become a professional dancer. But at the onset of puberty, she is diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that causes balding. This diagnosis becomes an emotional struggle for Enakshi and her aspirations. Sparked by a chance encounter in the mall, she develops a crush on her classmate, Sujoy (Jitendra Kumar). Enakshi's hair loss becomes inseparably interwoven with her feelings for Sujoy, her journey to self-acceptance, and her struggle towards her dream of becoming a dancer.

The movie depicts an extraordinary journey of courage, acceptance, and resilience. How Enakshi grapples with the condition, the societal judgement, and the torment from her peers shapes her into her own person. It's a journey that many can relate to; we all face different adversities, and it's how we face them that defines us.

Alisha (Sunita Rajawar) plays Enakshi’s mother, who adds the perfect blend of maternal concern and a grounded perspective to the plot with her simultaneous worry and encouragement. Vipin Sharma portrays Enakshi's doting father, who goes to great lengths to afford the expensive wigs and treatments his daughter fights for, hoping to help her regain what she has lost.

Deepika Amin plays the owner of a beauty parlour who subtly represents society’s obsession with outward appearances. Her character surfaces the question of the excessive importance given to physical appearances in the society while it should be the inner self of a person that should truly matter.

This film is not just another coming-of-age drama; it beautifully represents a coming-to-terms journey. The storytelling isn't loud; neither does it show any melodramatic hysteria. Instead, the narrative is subtle, coaxing viewers to travel along with Enakshi’s heart-wrenching and inspiring journey. Khallow's unique take on the sensitive plot surprises viewers with the extent of maturity, humanity, and humility present.

The film consistently reminds us, through its gentle humor and heartfelt moments, that all of us are more than our appearances, our successes, and our failures. It also cautions us about getting too lost in attaining societal acceptance that we forget to accept ourselves.

Shweta Tripathi gives an outstanding performance by just brewing the right concoction of emotion, simplicity, determination, and charm. Jitendra Kumar, the YouTube sensation known for his work with The Viral Fever, makes a striking presence on the big screen with an endearing performance. The other characters have done justice to their roles, giving life to the landscape of the film.

With its nuanced storytelling, the film presents a less explored subject with remarkable sensitivity and does not lose sight of humanity and humor. The cinematography, with its earthy tones, brilliantly captures the simplicity and rawness of Siliguri, slightly abstract and quite poetic, evoking both loss and hope. Meanwhile, the beautifully composed background score enhances the emotional depth of the movie.

Gone Kesh is a unique film that offers a new perspective on the issue of hair fall, which is usually dealt with very superficially in the mainstream cinema. It is not only a film about a girl with a rare medical condition but it is also a poignant exploration of self-acceptance, challenging societal norms, and the importance of dreams.

Through this movie, one understands that the beauty industry's current standards are unrealistic and not universally applicable. The narrative accentuates the power of acceptance, the importance of being comfortable in one's skin, and the impact it has on self-confidence.

This film is a breath of fresh air on the cinematic front, providing hard-hitting emotions, uplifting moments, relatable characters filled with desire and dreams, woven together into a beautiful tapestry with the thread of deep and profound life lessons. An underrated gem, Gone Kesh, skilfully blends emotion, comedy, and realism to deliver a compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impact.

In a nutshell, it is a must-watch for all those seeking a heartwarming tale about the strength of the human spirit, one’s journey into self-love, and the ethics of societal acceptance.