Pihu

The Indian film industry has a history of bringing forth films that have a lasting impact on its audience. Pihu, directed by Vinod Kapri and released in 2016, is a striking example of such creative endeavors. With a small cast that includes Pihu Myra Vishwakarma, Prerna Vishwakarma, and Rahul Bagga, Pihu captures a critical essence of realism and terror in the simplest of household settings.

The movie is a psychological drama that revolves around a small family living in New Delhi, primarily focusing on a two year old girl named Pihu. Pihu Myra Vishwakarma, the toddler who plays the titular character, essentially carries the entire film on her little shoulders and executes an incredibly convincing and jaw-dropping performance.

Pihu is caught in an unfortunate circumstance that threatens her safety and is a living nightmare for any parent, depicting a day in the life of a toddler home alone. The situation is exacerbated by her naivety and lack of understanding of the severity of her predicament. As the plot unravels, Pihu must navigate through a series of frightening scenarios and make critical decisions even as an innocent and unknowing child.

Actor Rahul Bagga lends his voice in phone conversations to play Pihu’s father, who remains unaware of the distressing situation at home. Prerna Vishwakarma, Pihu’s on-screen mother, is largely confined to the initial moments of the film yet manages to create a significant impact on the tone and storyline. This single-location film holds attention through these three performances, particularly that of the little protagonist, with scarce appearance from other characters or shifts in settings.

Vinod Kapri’s directorial vision is vivid and heart wrenching. He doesn’t flinch from portraying the grim reality that a child, barely out of her infancy and left to her own devices, would face. He captures the tension of the situation with a magnified lens, making everyday objects potential threats, turning a routine apartment into a virtual battlefield, and transforming household appliances into accidental weapons.

The film must be applauded for its daring choice of plot, which relies heavily on a two-year-old with little dialogue or conventional narrative structure to sustain. The realism of Pihu's interactions, coupled with the suspense and anxiety of an intensely dangerous situation, keeps the audience on edge from start to finish.

Pihu is notably devoid of the usual frills and flamboyance of conventional cinema, the main focus being the innocent and unknowing child trapped in a perilous situation. The film is a testament to the power of mise-en-scène, as practically every scene, object, and moment becomes relevant and meaningful, contributing to the slowly mounting tension.

From a technical standpoint, the film exhibits some of the most innovative uses of cinematography, sound design, and editing within the Indian film industry. The cinematography by Yogesh Jaini is meticulously planned and executed. With an abundance of wide shots and close-ups, the camerawork amplifies the sense of isolation and danger, while the detailed sound design by Shajith Koyeri augments the film's nerve-wracking atmosphere. The clean and purposeful editing by Irene Dhar Malik ensures the film’s pace never slackens, maintaining a constant sense of dread.

Pihu is as innovative as it is horrifying. It is a thought-provoking and unsettling reflection of potential scenarios and the risks children can face when left unsupervised. It departs from traditional Bollywood cinema, relying less on dialogue and more on visual storytelling to convey an intricate tale of danger and distress. It is a distinct and unforgettable piece of filmmaking that challenges the boundaries of conventional storytelling and redefines the horror genre within the Indian film industry.

In conclusion, Pihu is a bone-chilling, heartbreaking and thought-provoking drama that delves deep into the psyche of its audience, leaving them to ponder over the trials and tribulations of an innocent and unknowing child abandoned in a dangerous situation. It's a far cry from typical Bollywood fare, offering one of the most intense, suspense-filled 90 minutes that Indian cinema has shown to date. Despite its harrowing premise and unsettling undertones, Pihu's exploration of anxiety, fear and childhood innocence makes it a must-watch.