This year, unforeseen work commitments have derailed my plans to be home for Durga Puja. As I sulked and sought out new Bengali restaurants in Mumbai, my thoughts wandered to the immensely popular series, The Bear, which has made waves at the comedy Emmys. The Bear, known for its high-stress narrative, introduces us to Carmy, a top-tier New York chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago following his brother’s tragic suicide. Spanning three anxiety-laden seasons, the series showcases Carmy’s relentless effort (and the stress it imposes on everyone around him) to transform their dysfunctional, family-owned sandwich shop into a high-end dining establishment. Carmy is constantly reminded by his uncle to “be the guy” and maintain his focus. However, the omnipresent essence of home—with its unpredictable recipes and the indelible kitchen scars of past grief—frequently disrupts his journey.
Homecoming, indeed, is a messy, intricate process. Over a decade ago, we were introduced to a different character reminiscent of Carmy, though of a lesser stature. The 2012 Hindi comedy Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana presents a bittersweet narrative exploring themes of family, food, and identity. The protagonist, Omi (played by Kunal Kapoor), having previously stolen from his grandfather, escapes to the UK. Years later, he is compelled to return home. He takes control of his family’s debilitated ‘dhaba’ (roadside restaurant), but only the secret recipe of the coveted ‘Chicken Khurana’, now lost, can bring back its former glory. Directed by Sameer Sharma, the film mirrors the essence of The Bear but at a slower, more tender pace, with the film’s climax delivering an unexpected and humorous twist.
In the 2004 comedy Garden State, Zach Braff, wearing multiple hats as the writer, director, and star, offers a profound yet simple observation: “Maybe that’s all a family really is, a group of people who miss the same imaginary place.” Revisiting Braff’s film for this column made me think less about the poetic nature of this line and more about Braff’s resemblance to Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra.
. One of Malhotra’s more compelling performances can be seen in Kapoor & Sons (2016), a film that epitomizes Bollywood’s attempt at American-style dysfunctional family dramas. The film features a brilliantly orchestrated scene by director Shakun Batra, where the entire family engages in a chaotic bout of yelling and blaming amidst a bursting water pipe. The scene effectively captures the spontaneous mess that often defines home.
Not all cinematic narratives of homecoming are comedic. The thriller genre is replete with such themes—consider the 2020 Australian film The Dry, where the protagonist returns to his childhood town and becomes enveloped in a mysterious investigation. Then there are the adoptees, as seen in films like Lion (2016) and Return to Seoul (2022), whose stories revolve around the timeless search for origins, transcending geographical boundaries. Additionally, some films capture the unfeasibility of truly returning home: Sumit and Priyanka in Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar (2023) embody this theme as they return to Darbhanga amidst a challenging lockdown, yet find themselves unable to genuinely go home.
The concept of homecoming often involves more than just a physical return. It is about reconnecting with one’s roots, confronting unresolved issues, and coming to terms with one’s past. Imaginary places, as mentioned earlier, often symbolize these nostalgic journeys. In Gregory Alan Isakov’s song ‘Big Black Car’, he captures the essence of these journeys perfectly: “Through the carnival we watch them go round and round // all we knew of home was just a sunset and some clowns.”
These films and narratives remind us that homecoming, whether literal or metaphorical, is a universal experience that resonates deeply with audiences. Each story, whether imbued with humor, drama, or mystery, brings a unique perspective to the complex tapestry of returning home. Through these cinematic journeys, we find echoes of our own experiences, making the theme of homecoming an enduring motif in the world of film.
From The Hindu cinema team, this is part of a fortnightly column recommending films and shows connected to a specific mood, theme, or cultural event.
Published – September 28, 2024, 04:37 pm IST
Indian cinema / Hindi cinema
