Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi

Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi is an Indian family drama film, released in 2019, that takes an incisive look into the lives of a tight-knit North Indian family that convenes for 13 days to mourn the death of the family patriarch, Ramprasad (played by Naseeruddin Shah). Carefully directed by Seema Pahwa, the movie is a deep delve into the complexities of familial relationships, enriched by a stellar ensemble cast which includes the significant performances of Supriya Pathak, Konkona Sen Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay among others.

The film is set within the confines of an old, two-storied house in Lucknow, cramped with members of the Bhargava family who gather from near and far to pay their respects and perform last rites as the traditional Hindu customs require. Characteristically, the film is named 'Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi' implying the thirteenth-day ritual following the death of Ramprasad.

Supriya Pathak plays the recent widow, Amma, who is trying to process the abrupt loss of her husband while trying her best to entertain her extended bickering family under one roof. The combined canvas of grief, nostalgia, and familial tensions become a fertile ground for the unfolding of underlying issues, secrets, and resentments.

Konkona Sen Sharma renders a powerful performance as one of the daughters-in-law, Priyanka, who sympathizes with Amma and understands her disposition just as her own marriage is in shambles. Parambrata Chattopadhyay's character, who is an aspiring musician and the deceased's son, becomes a softened image of the family's latent desire to break free from societal constrictions

The movie masterfully employs the device of time, though not strikingly visible. The mourning period forms the temporal structure for the play of interpersonal dynamics, bringing out stark truths about the hypocrisy, norms, suppressed desires, and often funny behavior among the family members during the tough times. Meanwhile, the tehrvi forms a looming deadline, after which the family will disperse, seemingly moving on from the loss that brought them together.

The film is interspersed with fleeting moments of humor amidst their mourning, thanks to the quirky, idiosyncratic relatives, thus making it a dark comedy of sorts. These humorous beats work as wonderful, punctuating spots of relief in a narrative that runs the gamut of family politics, financial strains, and generational conflicts. It oscillates between somber moments of introspective silence and humorous sequences of zesty dialogues, thus portraying that life doesn't stop, even when confronted with loss.

The Director, Seema Pahwa, very meticulously creates an observant narrative with the perfect blend of comedy and sorrow, of ordinary people facing extraordinary situations. The movie is impressively authentic in its portrayal of a typical Indian family; the characters, their interactions, the bickering, the aged-old grudges, the unsaid emotions, the complex familial hierarchy, and the patriarchal biases inherent in seemingly progressive families. It delves into nuanced examinations of what it means to lose someone and then gather to remember them, how societal norms often overlook personal grief, and how families cope with social and emotional expectations amid mourning.

The film's production design plays a significant role in building the narrative. The claustrophobic spaces, the worn-out look of the house, the hand fans flapping in the lazy afternoon heat, all add up to project a realistic picture of a lived-in space and consequently build the required ambiance. The camera work subtly captures the tensions, allegiances and emotional states of characters throughout the film. The evocative and poignant music complements the narrative, amplifying the thin line between humor and pathos that the movie successfully maintains.

In conclusion, Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi is a refreshing take on the usually portraited ideal Indian family. It's a tautly directed film marked by delightful performances from the cast and a well-nuanced script. The movie's forte lies in its narrative power to combine grief, humor, and regular family dynamics while tackling with the complexities of relationships and expectations. This poignant, slice-of-life drama should be appreciated for its direct dealing with the Indian social fabric, specifically familial relationships, religious rites, and the still prevalent patriarchal mindset, all wrapped in a cozy, charming blanket of nostalgia and melancholia. It is a must-watch for those who appreciate artwork capturing the essence of family matters, their flaws, and their love in close texture and detail.