What is the 'right' age to fall in love? Will
you fall in love once again after loss, conflicts, betrayal or heartbreak?
Once Again starring Shefali Shah and
Neeraj Kabi is a story of two middle-aged people exploring love and trying to
find companionship, as the title suggests - Once Again!
Tara Shetty is a single mother and a
restaurateur. Having lost her husband at a young age she lives an independent
life and looks after her son and daughter. Amar is a theatre veteran, extremely
meticulous and is amidst a struggling relationship.
The movie begins with their telephonic
conversation with the scenes of everyday life in Mumbai. They have known each
other as Tara sends meal box to him but never met. The only connection till now
are the phone calls at the end of the day. She isn't star struck with his big
personality and begins watching his films only after the conversations.
Tara sees a lost man who is struggling
with his personal and professional life and for Amar she is a straightforward
individual. They find solace in each other's words and yearn for something. Is
it love? Sometimes the scenes become more alive not with the dialogues but the
intimacy between the two protagonists.
Shefali Shah is an exceptional actor. Lookout
for the loneliness her character portrays. You can see the grief and longing
for someone after years of living life only for her kids. Neeraj Kabi has given
the justice to the role of a father who despite his broken marriage strives
to build a healthy relationship with daughter played by Rasika Dugal.
The direction of Kanwal Seth is
worth watching that captures the face of common man walking along the street, lashing
waves at Marine drive, the sound of grinding of spices in traditional manner,
the splash of water on the hot pan for dosa, onions being fried. They grab your attention to the minutest of detail.
The background score is enough
to keep you watching in the first hour of the movie. It brings alive the
characters of two lonely souls who find comfort and ease in each other’s presence.
How can the world be not
against the two souls (one widow, other famous and divorcee) who have yet to
find love but only their being together in public is like a stick in the eye! When they get “caught” in
public and the news get published, Tara’s son who is about to get married doesn’t
support her. While her daughter understands the loneliness of her mother.
Tara fights within, the emotions
and responsibilities brings on turmoil. Amidst the obligations of being a wife,
upbringing of children and running a business, she has shoved away her life and lived a life of self-denial. What
will she do? She has lived 20 years of life without a companion. Does she give
up her blossoming relation with Amar for her children’s sake?
Why should you watch Once Again?
- For the excellent performance
of Shefali Shah. She would make you feel the melancholy of a person who has lived a life alone.
Imagine no one to share the emotional burden, to be loved, to be cared for. (I
emphasize on person and not woman or man, because emotions do not differentiate
according to gender. Their way of expressing might be different but not the
feeling)
- For the subtle, mature romance
between Tara and Amar: their first meet, the long drive, sitting atop a hill,
mesmerizing time at Marine drive, their conflicts and the intimacy.
- For the characters of children –
two with single mother, one with divorced parents
Why you can skip watching Once
Again?
- If you do not like the theme of
the movie talked about above
- You may get bored, because the story
is stretched which makes it boring at a certain point.
Final verdict:
It would have been a perfect short film if wrapped up on time. Nevertheless, it is a movie with an attempt to break the stigma attached to middle-aged single men or women to be in an intimate relationship.
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