Pankh

Pankh is an Indian film which was released in the year 2010. It boasts a strong cast, featuring actors such as Bipasha Basu, Lillete Dubey, and Mahesh Manjrekar, under the skilled direction of Sudipto Chattopadhyay. The movie is a psychological drama that delves deeply into the psyche of its protagonist, exploring themes of gender identity and the impact of societal norms.

In Pankh, Bipasha Basu plays an intriguing role, very different from her mainstream commercial flicks. She appears as an imaginary character, representing a figment of the protagonist's mind. This strategically placed character takes us into a surreal world, deciphers hidden layers of reality and compels the audience to ponder upon the often overlooked subject of identity crisis.

The film revolves around the protagonist, a young adult played by Maradona Rebello, who has been suffering from an identity crisis for a long time. This boy named Jerry was forced to perform as girl in film industry during his young age due to his feminine looks and the pressures of societal norms and expectations. The young boy is named Jane by the demanding film industry, pushing him into a whirlwind of mental confusion and suffering. Lillete Dubey and Mahesh Manjrekar are cast as his parents, who have their own characters to portray, adding layers to the complexity of the film.

The story of Pankh is a surreal journey into Jerry's mind, as he battles to understand his sexual identity while grappling with the blurred lines of reality and fantasy. Pankh explores the adverse effects of forcing a child into something which is beyond their understanding and against their natural inclination, which here is represented by the confusion Jerry faces due to his early exposure to cross dressing and the pressure from his ambitious parents who wished to see him succeed in the film industry.

Interwoven into the narrative is the fascinating character of Bipasha Basu, as the enigmatic Nandini. Existing only in Jerry's troubled mind, Nandini embodies the figment of his celebrities-infested imagination, his misunderstandings about femininity, and his yearning for a secure identity. She appears enchanting, riveting, and sometimes terrifying, leading Jerry farther into his fantasies.

Pankh is not the kind of film that follows a straightforward commercial cinema approach. It pushes boundaries with its unconventional premise and treatment, making it a part of alternative or parallel cinema that challenges established norms. The narrative can be unconventional and jumbled to the unprepared viewer, and it invites you to mull over it, rather than spoon-feeding the facts.

Mahesh Manjrekar's portrayal of Jerry's father is extraordinary, bringing out the character's weaknesses and faults out vividly on screen. He helps depict the harsh realities of the film industry and how its impacts reach out to affect family life. Lillete Dubey performs an equally competent role as Jerry's mother and gives a powerful performance.

This movie showcases the dark side of fame and what it can do to a person's psyche, especially if they are pushed into it at a tender age. It draws from the real-life stories of several child actors who were forced to act as the opposite gender during their early years, due to their looks or circumstances.

The cinematography in Pankh takes you on a surreal journey, mingling reality and fantasy seamlessly. The imagery throughout the film is exquisite, with a passionate use of lights, shadows and colours that audaciously depict the jumbled world of the protagonist.

In conclusion, Pankh is a serious, thought-provoking piece of cinema. It is aimed at an audience that appreciates exploring deep psychological themes. This intense drama fascinates with its bold narrative, powerful performances, and striking visuals. While not a typical commercial film, the story it tells and the emotions it evokes make it a memorable watch.