If someone asked me to describe this movie in one word, it would have to be 'Beautiful'. And it is so in each and every respect, right from the first frame to the last. A beautiful short story. Background score. Scenic location. Emotions. Acting. Expressions. Beautiful premise. And a beautiful soul! It does not matter how much money you can put into a movie, but the movie can only be as beautiful as this only if the director/cinematographer can visualize it in that way. So kudos to the Director and Cinematographer (and both happen to be the same person).
I will not be exaggerating if I say that each and every frame is so beautifully shot that it felt like poetry in motion. A poetry that was penned by a child, full of innocence, pure love, and filled with naive emotions that tug at your heartstrings unfailingly (especially for those who cry easily in movies...like me). A poetry that paints a scenic picture and the picture that gently unfolds into a thousand sweet words and expressions.
The background score right from the first frame uplifts you like the dandelion puff soaring up in the cool evening air.
As the opening credits roll to an end so does the puff gently settles on the river bank and that's where our movie introduces us to the hero of our movie. Our little hero who is shown cooling himself off in the river waters. #Naal, the movie is centered around Chaitanya fondly called Chaitya by all those who know him. A precocious eight-year-old, whose life is full of mischief, fun, and love showered by his family, especially his mother. And the love does include a little bit of reproach and punishment once in a while.
Everything is hunky-dory until one day he prematurely faces a bitter truth about himself which shakes him up and sets him on an uncomfortable emotional journey with his mother.
The movie is all about this inner and external journey of this little child, his relationship with his mother so wonderfully expressed and emoted that you wonder how can such a little boy understand the nuances of acting and give the perfect shot that only a senior actor can aspire to give.
Hats off to the casting team who discovered this gem of a child so fit for the role of Chaitya. He is impish, innocent, endearing and precocious and has enacted the role so well that I would not be surprised if he wins a National award for his role. (And also the director Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti)
Naal means umbilical cord and just like this pure and divine connection between a mother and child, this movie will refuse to leave you for the very same reasons.
A pure, divine and yes, a beautiful movie!
Must watch for everyone whether they understand Marathi or not as the sub-titles are quite effective. In fact, the language is rustic as it is set in a village and many a time I caught myself reading sub-titles as I could not catch the accent of the actors.
All I can say is watch Naal and I can bet that you would not have seen a movie as beautiful as this before...in every sense of the word! #Naal #Beautiful
Kudos and thanks to Shrinivas Pokale (Chaitya), Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti (Director, cinematographer, and writer), Nagraj Manjule (Producer, writer, and actor), Devika Daftardar (Mother) and the supporting cast (including the grandmother), and the Music director for this masterpiece.
