Photograph

Photograph is a 2019 movie that beautifully weaves a story of unconventionality and unexpected bonds. This Indo-German co-production is helmed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Ritesh Batra, who captivated audiences with his previous art-house successes like “The Lunchbox” and “Our Souls at Night”. He brings to the table a calming yet intriguing tale set against the backdrop of vibrant and bustling Mumbai.

Photograph brings together an unlikely pair – a struggling street photographer named Rafi (played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and a young, introverted student from an affluent background, Miloni (played by Sanya Malhotra). The enthralling narrative commences when Rafi, trying to convince Miloni to let him take her picture, tells her that someday, the photograph might be worth something more due to the wholesome memories it captures.

The movie revolves around the theme of a photograph being an object of memory and its unique capability of instigating stories. This evolves as a central motif, highlighting the paradox of a photograph as a frozen moment in time that somehow manages to evoke a multitude of emotions, narrations and lived experiences.

Lofty expectations are thrust upon Rafi by his overbearing grandmother, who wishes to see him married. In a moment of desperation to placate his doting but persistent grandmother, and avoid an arranged marriage, Rafi impulsively shows her the photograph, claiming Miloni to be his girlfriend, Noorie. As the grandmother insists on meeting Noorie, a confused yet empathetic Miloni agrees to partake in the charade. From here stems a unique relationship between Rafi and Miloni that is heartwarming, poignant, and quietly persuasive.

The film acutely captures the class divide segregating the characters. Set in the breathtaking city of Mumbai, the narrative beautifully encapsulates this divide, narrating the tale of two contrasting lives - one is caught up in the poverty-stricken mazes of the city's slums while the other dwells in the opulent skyscrapers that pierce the city's skyline.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as Rafi, showcases his phenomenal acting skills and phenomenal versatility once again. His character Rafi is humble yet compelling, muted yet expressive, and Siddiqui manages to capture these characteristics with a performance that turns the story into an experience.

On the other hand, Sanya Malhotra stands her ground as Miloni, showing a commendable range of acting skills. Her character is introverted and taciturn, observant more than she is expressive, and Malhotra portrays this with orchestrated simplicity and a silent yet powerful screen presence.

There is a distinct quietness in the storytelling that resonates throughout the film, reflecting the subdued nature of the characters and their lives. The dialogue throughout the film is thoughtful and purposeful, somewhat of a rarity in mainstream cinema.

Technically, the film excels in its cinematography. Mumbai's teeming streets, the weather-beaten face of public transport, and the melancholic charm of the city find a striking depiction in the film. The music and background score are minimalistic, complimenting the stillness of the narrative.

Photograph is less about the plot's progression and more about the lingering sentiment. The film moves at its own rhythm, allowing the audience to slow down from their active lives and watch a nearly poetic unraveling of human interactions, passions, dreams, and realities. The touch of romance between the characters is as subtle as the overall narrative.

Above all, the movie is an exploration of unexpected relationships, identity, longing, and the silent power of stillness and quiet understanding in our loudly cluttered world. There is magic, but Batra does not sensationalize it. Instead, he illuminates it through the ordinary, through the quiet, through the under-appreciated fabric of everyday life.

Photograph is a film that asks you to look, to observe, to remember, much like a photograph that captures a moment asking you to remember it, adding your narrative to it. It is a work of art cherished not for its cinematic glaze or elaborate plot lines but for its earnest exploration of simple human interactions and innate yearnings. For the viewers tired of the whirlwinds of typical romantic cinemas, Photograph provides a calm and soothing refuge. Its pace and rhythm make it a cinematic experience worth immersing in, with every frame of the film being almost like an individual photograph - poignant, intense, and deeply evocative.