We often hear declarations such as “I’m not a kid anymore” or “I need my space” echoing in our surroundings, particularly from teenagers. However, it is rare that this teenage angst is taken seriously. In our pursuit to outgrow our surroundings, we frequently regard the roots that nurtured us as outdated. Every few years, Bollywood provides us with narratives that highlight the dangers of maintaining the generational gap. This week, it’s the turn of director Ssanjay Tripaathy to refresh this theme with a new story about an immigrant family in London, aimed at a contemporary audience. With a confident debutante and a skilled support cast, Tripaathy crafts a series of heartfelt moments within a storyline that avoids big surprises or dramatic twists, focusing instead on a premise that is relatable, honest conversations, and genuine performances that steer clear of pretension.
Binny (Anjini Dhawan) and her upper-middle-class Singh family, originally from Bettiah, Bihar, have relocated to London via Pune. Binny, on the brink of adulthood, is struggling to balance her school syllabus with her extracurricular aspirations. Her father, Vinay (Rajesh Kumar), and mother, Radhika (Charu Shankar), are educated professionals who permit her the freedom to explore life, provided she remains true to their cultural values. However, they soon realize that culture is not something set in stone. When her retired grandparents (Pankaj Kapur and Himani Shivpuri) come to live with them, the family must reconfigure their lives to accommodate their values. For instance, Vinay has to transform his bar into a bookshelf, and Binny must eliminate the F-word from her rap song.
What begins as a seemingly light-hearted struggle to adjust escalates into a conflict when a health scare strikes the family. It opens a line of communication between a grieving grandfather and a guilt-ridden granddaughter. Gradually, as the plot evokes the mild pain that comes with contemplating what could have been if one had been a little more accommodating, emotions start to swell.
Ssanjay Tripaathy, known for penning popular TV serials and directing “Club 60″—a film about five retired men finding new purpose—clearly understands the intricacies of this space. He has honed his storytelling abilities to create a vivid, lived-in experience of a household. The film adeptly captures the multiple lives and languages that immigrants navigate.
. Without sounding pedantic, the film gently reminds us that mere respect isn’t enough; we must also embody the essence of “lihaj”—a deeper form of reverence for the values held dear by our elders. Initially, the film dismantles the faux accent of modernity fostered by technology and lifestyle, and then suggests that embracing change is not necessarily detrimental. Tripaathy opts out of scripting scheming villains; rather, he lets circumstances stir up the drama.
Anjini Dhawan, hailing from the Dhawan family, makes a confident debut. Her screen presence and demeanor elevate even the less compelling school sequences and her romantic skirmishes. Her chemistry with the seasoned Pankaj Kapur feels completely natural. Kapur, a veteran actor, enters with a sequence reminiscent of his iconic role in “Office Office” and smoothly transitions to a gram-worthy grandfather. His performance reflects every nuance of his character’s emotional journey through his precise body language. Rajesh Kumar, as the father torn between his family’s and his parents’ interests, delivers yet another understated but impactful performance.
Despite its strengths, the film does have its shortcomings. The school segment feels underdeveloped, and Binny’s attempt to use theater as a form of self-expression is painfully predictable. Additionally, the film tends to become slightly preachy towards the end. But, for viewers who manage their expectations, “Binny And Family” proves to be a decent family watch.
Ssanjay Tripaathy’s film doesn’t aim to change the world or redefine cinema. Instead, it serves as a gentle reminder of the love, respect, and understanding that can bridge the generational gaps in our families. With assured performances, relatable conflicts, and a storyline that subtly nudges the conscience, “Binny And Family” is a reflective piece on family dynamics and cultural values in a rapidly changing world.
The movie “Binny And Family” is currently playing in theaters and invites audiences to explore and reflect on the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, illustrating how opening channels of communication across generations can heal and unite families.
Published – September 27, 2024 04:58 pm IST
