Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi – A Film that takes an Ironic look at the Complex Aftermath of Death

When a seasoned actor like Seema Pahwa (Badhki of the original TV saga “Hum Log”) helms a film on something as sensitive as death, you expect something really out of the ordinary. And you aren’t disappointed.

#RamprasadKiTehrvi is a nuanced look at the politics of death. Set in Lucknow, UP, the film portrays changing equations, the pull and push of filial loyalty, and the monetary repercussions of a patriarch’s sudden death.

This delightfully layered film highlights the rituals and power-play that take centre stage after the head of a traditional Hindu North Indian family breathes his last.

Memorable Moments

The film unfolds like poetry on the screen, unravelling peel after peel with a humorous, ironical undertone.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Some scenes stand out, like the one where the brothers are bonding among themselves, singing a ditty their late father used to sing. This comes right after they bitterly reflect how their parents have failed them and neglected their welfare. Then there is the scene where Supriya Pathak’s matriarch can’t sleep, and walking in the courtyard, catches a glimpse of her sons and their progeny enjoying themselves in their own ways.

The subtle power-play, the dynamics within the family are beautifully depicted. The film portrays how death and its associated mourning are pushed backstage, in the skirmish to survive. Property issues, a pending loan repayment, and the question of who will take the widow’s responsibility cloud any real grief that the characters may have had. 

As always, each of the sons and daughters have a personal tale of neglect and omission to sulk about, these threaten to overpower the sombre occasion with petty discontent.

Outsider Angle

Image Source: https://scroll.in 

Then there is the outsider angle, depicted beautifully by ace actress #KonkonaSenSharma. The career- oriented daughter-in-law who has broken free, and leads life on her own terms in faraway Mumbai, finds herself pushed to a corner with the most of the family women badmouthing her.

Her marriage is teetering on the brink, and threatens to break apart with silent mistrust growing between her and her husband. The constant taunts and accusations the other bahus level against her add to the cocktail, and things reach a crescendo one night.

It doesn’t help that her own nephew-in-law tries to get too cosy with her, while carrying on his regular dalliances.

The film is also about acceptance and grace,  as no character is shown as totally black or white. Shades of grey are there in each and every character, yet you can relate to them totally. And as the matriarch says, finally we need to be more accepting of others, and remember to be courteous to towards those close to us.

The Performances

Veteran actress, #SupriyaPathak, is expectedly in superb form in the lead role. She conveys myriad emotions: acceptance of loss, betrayal at her sons’ attitude, disinterest in mundane practicalities, a sense of detachment, very well. 

Image Source: https://vogue.in 

In the end, it is her journey, her loss, yet she refuses to let her husband’s death overtake her destiny. The heart-warming ending is the icing on the cake.

Manoj Pahwa, Ninad Kamat, Vinay Pathak, Parambrata Chatterjee, Deepika Amin, Sadiya Siddiqui, Vikrant Massey ably shoulder the portrayal of complex, flawed characters.

A word for the music, which is lilting, evocative and adds to the atmosphere of the film. Similarly, lighting and art direction beautifully convey the small-town setting and the mood of loss and acceptance.

#SeemaPahwa does a great job as a debutant director. The film is hopefully a precursor to some enriching cinema from her repertoire.

#RamprasadKiTehrviTheFilm #FilmOnDeath #SeemaPahwaFilm #DebutFilm #DirectorialDebut

@SeemaPahwa @KonkonaSenSharma @SupriyaPathakKapur