The declaration ‘I’m not a kid anymore’ or the cry for ‘more space’ by teenagers is something we often hear but seldom take seriously. In our quest to evolve, we sometimes start regarding the roots that nurtured us as outdated. Every few years, Bollywood stories remind us of the dangers of allowing the generation gap to widen. This week, it’s director Ssanjay Tripaathy’s turn to refresh this narrative through the lens of an immigrant family in London.
With a promising debutante and a gifted supporting cast, Tripaathy crafts a series of heartwarming moments in “Binny And Family.” The narrative eschews big surprises or dramatic twists and instead offers a premise that is relatable. The conversations sound genuine, and the performances are devoid of pretense.
Rooted in Bettiah, Bihar, Binny (Anjini Dhawan) and her upper-middle-class family have transitioned from Pune to London. Binny, on the brink of adulthood, is struggling to strike a balance between academia and her extra-curricular aspirations. Her parents, Vinay (Rajesh Kumar) and Radhika (Charu Shankar), both educated professionals, allow her the freedom to explore life as long as she doesn’t stray too far from their cultural values. But they soon realize culture is not set in stone. The arrival of her retired grandparents (Pankaj Kapur and Himani Shivpuri) to live with them necessitates adjustments to harmonize their value system. This means Vinay must transform his bar into a bookshelf, and Binny has to drop the F-word from her rap lyrics.
What begins as a light-hearted struggle for adjustment intensifies when a health scare strikes the family. This crisis initiates a poignant dialogue between a grieving grandfather and a guilt-ridden granddaughter. As the plot thickens, the film induces a dull ache of reflection—what if we were a bit more accommodating? It’s moments like these that bring tears to the eyes.
Director Tripaathy, known for writing popular TV serials and helming “Club 60,” a film about five retired men finding new purpose in life, understands how to capture the essence of a real household.
. In “Binny And Family,” he skillfully depicts the diverse lives and languages that immigrants navigate. Without sounding preachy, the film emphasizes that generic respect falls short of conveying the deep respect, or “lihaj,” that we hold for elder’s values. By first stripping away the false modernity that technology and lifestyle can impose, the film subsequently shows that embracing change isn’t as daunting as it seems. Tripaathy avoids scripting scheming villains; he lets circumstances be the disruptive force instead.
Anjini Dhawan, hailing from the illustrious Dhawan family, delivers a confident debut. Her on-screen presence makes even the less compelling school scenes and Binny’s romantic skirmishes engaging. Her chemistry with the veteran Pankaj Kapur is seamless and natural.
Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur enters the film with a sequence reminiscent of his iconic “Office Office” days, subsequently transforming from a self-reliant pensioner resistant to change to a grandparent with a social media-worthy persona. His nuanced performance reflects each emotional shift his character undergoes. Rajesh Kumar’s talent, often underutilized, shines here. As a father torn between his family’s and parents’ needs, Kumar once again delivers a restrained yet powerful performance.
However, not all aspects of the film hit the mark. The school segments feel underdeveloped, and Binny’s venture into theatre to express herself is predictably trite. Towards the climax, the film does tend to get didactic. Yet, despite these shortcomings, “Binny And Family” manages to be a decent family watch as long as viewers manage their expectations.
Currently running in theaters, “Binny And Family” is an exploration of intergenerational relationships and the subtle, often unspoken adjustments families make in the face of evolving cultural landscapes. Through its blend of humor, drama, and emotional depth, it successfully bridges the generation gap for a new audience.
Published – September 27, 2024 04:58 pm IST
