Vanvaas is an absolute teary feast for anyone who loves their parents. The very plot is built on a concept that is so heartbreaking that merely hearing about it shakes the foundations of your soul. Vanvaas which alludes to the term exile, is no longer confined to a parent imposing separation from their child as seen in the Ramayana. Instead, it carries a broader connotation and can be inflicted upon parents themselves. Such is the backdrop, which builds on the premise that Vanvaas is a painful exile imposed by one’s own kin.
Nana Patekar as Deepak Tyagi
Nana Patekar is a legend, fully capable of carrying the weight of a movie on his shoulders. So he proves yet again in his portrayal of Deepak Tyagi, a demented father to three selfish children. The film leans heavily on his emotionally charged performance. While the story is heavy, the film tries to balance it with humour that arises naturally from people dealing with a forgetful elderly man. Nevertheless, it’s Nana Patekar’s acting even after all these years that ensnares you in a web of emotional pangs.
The carefully crafted dialogues feel even more powerful when delivered with such conviction. It’s hard not to imagine a person like Deepak Tyagi wandering the streets of Varanasi, trying to make sense of how he ended up there. Nana brings the character to life so vividly that you might see shades of your own father or grandfather in him. His touching performance is the driving force that keep the wheels rolling.
Plot with some Spoilers
The movie begins with a flashback of loving memories between Deepak and his late wife. But it abruptly jolts you to reality as his dementia sets in. Within minutes, you realize you’re in for an emotionally dramatic ride. The plot takes a grim turn when his children abandon him in the streets of Varanasi, hoping the city will swallow him whole.
Numerous moments tug at your heartstrings, whether it’s the irrational arguments about who has done more for their father or how trivial inconveniences drive the children to such a cruel decision. The selfishness of the children and their spouses feels more villainous and barbaric than any contrived antagonist in modern films.
The most heartrending aspect is Deepak’s unwavering belief that his sons are the best in the world. Flashbacks of what he did for them during their childhood, told through word-of-mouth, add fuel to the fire. The much-anticipated speech near the film’s end will leave you teary-eyed, as Deepak finally confronts the harsh reality of his situation. The melodrama culminates in a deeply satisfying resolution.
The Direction
Anil Sharma might not be the finest director Bollywood has to offer, but he demonstrates a fatherly understanding of satirical themes that resonate with audiences. The fact that the screenplay is taken directly from the stuff your parents say to you, Vanvaas feels like every parent’s worst nightmare come true.
However, Sharma’s direction falters at times, with some scenes dragging unnecessarily. Some so clumsy that you start to hear your thoughts. Attempts to showcase the cultural and spiritual essence of Varanasi occasionally feel forced. Similarly, the romantic subplot between Utkarsh Sharma and Simrat Kaur feels contrived and lacks chemistry, detracting from the central narrative.
Poetry, just as in life, has a special place in the movie. Revered as it is, a poem is often associated with a revivable memory respecting its existence in our literal world. Good poems are skilfully woven into the narrative to hit the right chords. One poignant line about not wanting to blink for fear of missing a beautiful moment is particularly brilliant.
Dispensable Subplots
While there’s a subplot that tries to feed extra content to the movie, I think a 2 hours 40 minutes movie still could have been avoided had they decided to edit it well. The unnecessary elements of squeezing in an unwanted love story of Utkarsh Sharma and Simrat Kaur should have been easily cut short were they serious about the actual plot.
The fact that the side actor and actresses’ plot felt open ended without it meeting a proper closure feels something that we could have lived without. Rest of the actors in the ensemble are merely there to either serve a purpose or deliver some lines. Looking back you think about the dispensable bits and wonder why none of it can be taken seriously and was merely there to distract you from the main plot and to give viewers a breather from the actual intended drama.
The Final Verdict
Vanvaas appears to have been conceived in the same universe as that of the movie Baghban. One might say that Vanvaas too takes inspiration from Baghban’s bittersweet exploration of familial bonds, sandwiching not so humorous and yet comic elements into a depressing tale. However, Vanvaas is on a league of its own drawing its inspiration from the poignant plight of abandoned parents reflecting a grim reality that persists in society today.
The film reminds us that nothing can surpass parental love. There doesn’t exist a single person in the whole universe who can match what your parents did for you. The countless sacrifices, being patient with you, ensuring the best of your education, unconditional support, providing you a livelihood, going out of their way to give you all your favourite things, removing hurdles for you, providing a shelter, clothes, food, I mean, nothing can compare. If even a small part of you is remotely human, it would understand and appreciate their role in your existence, compelling you to know better than to abandon your parents like that.
As the credit rolls, one message reads bluntly—’Go hug your parents’ daringly hoping that the movie positively affected viewer’s mindsets. It makes me wonder how many children would actually go and do it, coz there are so many who don’t speak to them or are not on good terms with them to actually care for this lost line.
While Vanvaas might not resonate deeply with international audiences, it will strike a chord with those who cherish their parents. It will matter most to those for whom parents will always come first, regardless of how many people they become attached to throughout their lifetime.
For Indians especially, where familial bonds are deeply rooted in culture, the film’s message will feel profoundly personal. It is a reminder that in Bharat, which is nothing but Ram Rajya, respecting and caring for one’s parents is not just a duty but a cornerstone of life.
Vanvaas
Pros
- Nana Patekar's performance
- Good Plot
- Teary fest
Cons
- Dispensable subplot
- Average humor
