Pimpal

The 2017 Indian Marathi language film Pimpal, directed by Gajendra Ahire, is a poignant narrative combining elements of nostalgia, loss, solitude, and the eternal human spirit. The film features veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar in the leading role, along with notable stars such as Priya Bapat and Kishore Kadam, who paint the canvas of this emotionally charged tale with their nuanced performances.

Dilip Prabhavalkar shines as Ganpat Belwalkar, an 86-year-old retired man living alone in his old house in Pune. His life's story mirrors the sadness of loneliness and the cavernous void left by the loss of loved ones, a ubiquitous emotion felt by many elderly citizens living in the hectic pace of modern society. Prabhavalkar effortlessly channels these emotions through his character and is the film's heart.

Besides Ganpat, we have his only son Maruti, played by Kishore Kadam, living abroad, and a deceased wife, whose memory still lingers playfully in his everyday life. Ganpat shares an emotional connection with the voice of Priya Bapat, playing the role of Neha, a telemarketer from Mumbai who constantly calls Ganpat to sell him a coffin. They form an unexpected friendship as Ganpat begins to converse with her during his unbearably lonely days. The conversations between them delve into the depths of life, its unexpected joys, and its inevitable culmination.

Gajendra Ahire, one of the most prolific Indian filmmakers known for the delicate handling of his themes, employs his proven storytelling skills here, turning the narrative into a commentary on human relationships, loneliness, death, and the social realities of an elderly person's life. He provides a profound perspective on technology, showcasing both its isolating and connecting effects on human lives.

The film emphasizes emotions, and this is palpable in the quiet moments the characters share amidst the scenic beauty of picturesque Pune streets, old houses with aesthetic charm, or a solitary hospital room. The cinematography is a visual component that complements the emotional depth and sensitivity of the storyline.

Pimpal does not shy away from the concept of death, portraying it as an inevitable part of life rather than a feared end. The film discusses it through various lenses - a reminiscence, a looming reality, or a business transaction for telemarketing companies gauging potential customers. It subtly brings to the fore the social discourse around death.

Ahire uses nostalgia intricately in his film. Ganpat's house, a metaphor for the past, houses a plethora of remembrances. It serves as a physical manifestation of his loneliness and as a time machine transporting him back to his cherished moments.

However, at its core, Pimpal is about living. It underlines that as we age, life may become more about memories and less about the future, but there are always moments to cherish and new friendships to forge. Embracing new relationships to combat solitude, regardless of how unusual they may seem, is a pivotal theme of the film.

Pimpal beautifully balances unsettling themes with tender moments, resulting in a heartfelt portrayal of an old man's tryst with life and death. It nudges us to encounter our shared human emotions – happiness, love, loneliness, and the universal shift towards inevitable stillness, in its own distinct, soulful manner.

In summary, the 2017 film Pimpal, directed by Gajendra Ahire, is a moving drama about an elderly man coping with solitude and the inevitability of death. The film uses the power of nostalgia, the pain of loss, and the charm of unexpected friendships, allowing them to all mingle together, resulting in a cinematic masterpiece that will live on in the minds and hearts of the viewers. It is a tribute to the human spirit, its endurance, and its emotional resilience. Offering an introspective journey, Pimpal encourages its viewers to appreciate life's simple joys and to find solace in human connection.