I will tell why I am saying chosen dementia but first, the film seems to be primarily crafted for an audience aged 35 and above, especially considering its central focus on the past. It avoids the usual elements associated with Bollywood—no flashy item songs, no violence, and no conventional love story. Instead, it embraces simplicity, and this simplicity is not a flaw but rather an opportunity for novelty. It signifies a departure from the norm, an attempt to create something new rather than adhering to established conventions.
The story revolves around Shailja Desai (Shefali Shah), who has recently been diagnosed with dementia. She is a working woman, living with her husband, Deepankar Desai (Swanand Kirkire). They have a son who does not live with them. One day, out of the blue, she expresses her desire to visit a small town in Konkad with her husband. When questioned, she reveals that she had studied there for a few years. The narrative then progresses to Shailja’s interactions with Pradeep Kamat (Jaydeep Ahlawat) in the same town.
How it Connects
Despite initial impressions, the film doesn’t unfold as a series of flashbacks but continuously moves forward while repeatedly delving into the past. Interestingly, the film doesn’t make much effort to connect with the general audience. It doesn’t bring a story that everyone can relate to, but instead, it becomes a highly personal tale. It doesn’t offer a narrative that feels familiar, but it still manages to draw you in.
Despite the narrative’s divergence, how does the film manage to captivate the audience? The strength of the film lies not in connecting events or the plot but in attempting to connect with the emotions buried within you. Rather than evoking nostalgia for childhood or the past, the film focuses on emotions that often remain suppressed. It’s not about whether life is no longer enjoyable or the world has changed; it raises different questions.
Towards a Chosen Dementia
The real race in this fast-paced life is to forget the fragments of our own lives. Its like a chosen dementia. As much as we live each moment of our lives with joy, we forget it just as swiftly over time. Even if names from the past come to mind, they get lost in the shuffle. If a person suffering from dementia tries hard to remember things, we, in our normal lives, tend to forget them rapidly. What will a person with dementia gain if they would wait to regret or express love?
Nothing. Yet, we are accustomed to the same. Our past is an integral part of our present, and our future is built upon that past. However, it’s easy for us to forget about it, even if in return, we lose something valuable. Isn’t this worth contemplating? Whether knowingly or unknowingly, the film addresses these thoughts, making it not confined to any age group. The film tells us that mistakes can be rectified, emotions can be preserved amidst this hustle, and love can be sustained in all relationships.
