Movie Review
Film- Hellaro ( Gujarati)
Direction and story - Abhishek Shah
Genre- Drama/Folk lore'
Was waiting to watch this movie after reading the reviews and getting recommendations from my friends who watched it. Unfortunately, I missed it when it was in the theaters. Luckily , this movie is now playing on MX Player so I watched this gem of a movie.This movie has bagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
The word ' Hellaro' translated means 'The Outburst'. It is a period drama based on a folk tale of Gujarat. The story line is captivating and it takes us on a journey to witness the conditions prevalent at a remote village in Kutch, Gujarat.The very beginning of the film itself gives us an idea about how the story is going to unfold as a little girl who wants to join in the garba dance that is performed by the men of the village. The little girl is told that garba was only for the male members and when she asks why she is told that girls are not even asked to question, they just have to do what is told.
So, this is the story of how the women, who are an oppressed lot at that village, take matters in their own hands and retaliate against the injustice meted out to them since years. They realize that they have been suffering for too long. A chance meeting with a drummer on the way to the river to fill water serves as the one incident that makes them experience the untold enjoyment they had never experienced before. That incident serves as the crux of the story.
When they dance the traditional garba near the riverside , they feel free and un-tethered. They feel rejuvenated and it is a release from the shackles that bind them to their routine life where they have no say in matters and just have to slog for the family. They have to appease the male members and elders in the family, cook, clean, fetch water, procreate and be there to fulfill their husband's physical needs. The women are not allowed to dance, sew or do anything to earn money or question any rules laid for them. The widows are considered to be ill omens and live pitiable lives.
How do they retaliate against all odds?
What is the guilt that they carry?
What captured my attention the most was the story line and the songs and dances that were well weaved into the story. The lyrics are amazing and makes us feel the emotions portrayed. I loved the choreography and the costumes. Nothing seemed out of place or over the top. The film is not just about the garba dance,its about everything that they are forced to do or not do. It is about burying their desires and living by the rules dictated by the men folk. The last scene makes us want to shout and cheer for the women. I had goosebumps and my tears were streaming down. The thudding vibrations we feel as the drum beats and the women come out to dance is unimaginable. Maybe it is something only women can feel, I am not aware.
There were times in the film when we feel a strong connection with the women as we remember that there have always been and will always be times and incidents when the women have been considered as inferior. It reminds us that even today we live in a patriarchal society where women have yet to get heir rightful place in society. When the women retaliate and have their small victory at that moment, it gives us hope. Hope, that we too will have that moment when we can achieve what we want to, against all odds.
Till then we need to keep trying and keep our hopes high. Apna time bhi aayegaa!
Film- Hellaro ( Gujarati)
Direction and story - Abhishek Shah
Genre- Drama/Folk lore'
Was waiting to watch this movie after reading the reviews and getting recommendations from my friends who watched it. Unfortunately, I missed it when it was in the theaters. Luckily , this movie is now playing on MX Player so I watched this gem of a movie.This movie has bagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
The word ' Hellaro' translated means 'The Outburst'. It is a period drama based on a folk tale of Gujarat. The story line is captivating and it takes us on a journey to witness the conditions prevalent at a remote village in Kutch, Gujarat.The very beginning of the film itself gives us an idea about how the story is going to unfold as a little girl who wants to join in the garba dance that is performed by the men of the village. The little girl is told that garba was only for the male members and when she asks why she is told that girls are not even asked to question, they just have to do what is told.
So, this is the story of how the women, who are an oppressed lot at that village, take matters in their own hands and retaliate against the injustice meted out to them since years. They realize that they have been suffering for too long. A chance meeting with a drummer on the way to the river to fill water serves as the one incident that makes them experience the untold enjoyment they had never experienced before. That incident serves as the crux of the story.
When they dance the traditional garba near the riverside , they feel free and un-tethered. They feel rejuvenated and it is a release from the shackles that bind them to their routine life where they have no say in matters and just have to slog for the family. They have to appease the male members and elders in the family, cook, clean, fetch water, procreate and be there to fulfill their husband's physical needs. The women are not allowed to dance, sew or do anything to earn money or question any rules laid for them. The widows are considered to be ill omens and live pitiable lives.
How do they retaliate against all odds?
What is the guilt that they carry?
What captured my attention the most was the story line and the songs and dances that were well weaved into the story. The lyrics are amazing and makes us feel the emotions portrayed. I loved the choreography and the costumes. Nothing seemed out of place or over the top. The film is not just about the garba dance,its about everything that they are forced to do or not do. It is about burying their desires and living by the rules dictated by the men folk. The last scene makes us want to shout and cheer for the women. I had goosebumps and my tears were streaming down. The thudding vibrations we feel as the drum beats and the women come out to dance is unimaginable. Maybe it is something only women can feel, I am not aware.
There were times in the film when we feel a strong connection with the women as we remember that there have always been and will always be times and incidents when the women have been considered as inferior. It reminds us that even today we live in a patriarchal society where women have yet to get heir rightful place in society. When the women retaliate and have their small victory at that moment, it gives us hope. Hope, that we too will have that moment when we can achieve what we want to, against all odds.
Till then we need to keep trying and keep our hopes high. Apna time bhi aayegaa!
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