Tungrus

Tungrus is a captivating, quirky, and profound short documentary film from director Rishi Chandna. Released in 2018, this Indian film involves an unusual protagonist: a home-raised rooster that becomes the centre of peculiar, yet deeply touching family dynamics. The film stars a real-life, ordinary family made up of Aasim Bharde, Celestine Bharde, and Nusrat Bharde, whose unique narrative serves as the heart of the storyline.

The film begins with presenting an unusual scenario that takes place in the Bharde’s apartment in Mumbai, where pets are prohibited. However, the Bharde's teen son brings into their lives a rooster, which immediately captures the viewer's imagination. Tungrus' atmospheric cinematography and keen observational humour reveal that this rooster isn’t a quiet, Disney-style domesticated pet. Rather, it has a unique and powerful character, causing conflicts, affection, and disagreements among the family members.

The film is, in essence, an intoxicating mix of human-interest piece and animal biopic. It delves into the Bharde family dynamics, capturing their feelings and reactions towards their newest pet. Unexpectedly, the rooster soon takes over their life, keeping them awake with the crowing, creating chaos, and messing up their apartment. It indeed presented a complete departure from having usual pets like dogs or cats.

Despite its compact length (13 minutes), Tungrus paints a vivid picture of urban life in an Indian metropolis, addressing subjects as diverse as family, class conflict, and the challenges of cohabitation. It is not merely a documentary about an urban family raising a chicken but also hints at broader issues encompassing animal rights, individuals’ responsibilities towards pets, and the human-animal relationship wrapped in insightful humour and wit.

Director Rishi Chandna's vibrant visual storytelling effectively portrays the daily mayhem the rooster stirs up in the tiny city apartment, provoking both laughter and empathy. The film’s characters, the Bharde family members, are authentic. Their reactions to the rooster's antics, their initial amusement, and later stress and exasperation unfold satisfyingly, creating a natural progression in the storyline.

Chandna's keen eye for details is prevalent throughout the film, and it blends perfectly with a richly textured backdrop that reflects not just the physical space of the crowded apartment but also the family's character and social milieu. Moreover, the urban soundscape’s portrayal, from the rooster's uproarious crowing to the distant noises of the bustling city, does a fantastic job in setting the tone for this tale.

Tungrus adopts a comical, light-hearted tone while exploring a situation that is rather usual and would not typically be considered film-worthy. The presentation of the rooster's antics, combined with the family's reaction towards them, infuses unexpected humor and amusement into the narrative.

The voiceover narration documents the roller-coaster of emotions experienced by the family, offering a striking contrast to the imagery on the screen. It deepens the psychological and emotional context of the narrative, as each family member expresses their individual perception and emotions towards the rooster.

Here the director churns out suspense as well, subtly hinting at the unpredictability of how living with a rooster might turn out. The Bharde’s dilemma about what should be done with the rooster becomes the crux of the film. More than once, the audience would be left guessing about the unusual pet’s fate.

Do not misjudge Tungrus by its run-time or its seemingly simple subject matter. Its strength lies in how it explores human nature's complexities and our relationship with animals, reflecting on the pets' roles in our lives. Amid all the bittersweet realities it presents, the film provokes thought and generates sympathy, making viewers ponder our relationship with nature's less cuddly creatures.

In sum, this unexpected journey of a rooster and an urban Mumbai family is a must-watch. Tungrus offers more than just entertainment; it's a microcosm of life’s absurdities, invoking laughter, empathy, and some self-reflection along the way.