Trikal (Past, Present, Future)

This is a Hindi language film created by Shyam Benegal.

It's a haunting film - in the sense that it stays with you and doesn't leave you after. Many shades of human character are brought to the fore. All in the backdrop of Bharat's liberation of Goa from the Portuguese. One gets to see the mindset and culture of the people - some who identify themselves more as Portugese than Bharatiya.

The film is very introspective, played out in flashbacks of Ruiz when he comes visiting an ancestral property currently in ruins.

Leela Naidu as the matriarch is very good. But Neena Gupta stands out for how the local Bharatiya were exploited during the Portuguese occupation. Doing errands both menial and dangerous. Satisfying them and sacrificing themselves. Sad and that's the part that stands out.

Brilliant story with the monologue at the ending that makes you think..

Iam currently on a shyam benegal movie trip, trying to watch his most important works. And i were not disappointed. Trikal is a most delightful movie dealing with dysfunctional family structures in the backdrop of indias newly gained independence. Goa( a former portugese colony) is facing changes, as its going to be freed from its colonizers. In the centre of the story stands the matriarch of a wealthy influential Goan Family, who after the death of her husband,has now to decide about the fate of her family. The music, the atmosphere, even the clothes were fascinating and unique, giving a hint about the rich and interesting Goan (in this case upper class) culture, who was heavily influenced by its long period of colonization. Although the story displays mostly the happenings surrounding Family members and friends, it doesnt fail to give insight into the History and political ongoings. Interesting was also the nearly satirical way, in which shyam benegal showcased the privileged and influential family. But sometimes the story was really slow and kind of predictable. But this is only a minor aspect in this thoroughly amazing Film.

One of Shyam Benegal's finest work, this movie is about a Portugal family in Goa and their struggle to come in terms with the death of the head of the family, all amidst the backdrop of an Indian army assembled to attack and take over Goa. The movie will make you experience the Goan Portuguese culture, their lifestyle, their music (watch out for the young Remo Fernandez and Alisha Chennai in 1985), and in the end, you feel as if you have actually experienced the entire happening. The costumes, the names, the behavior of the characters are all very authentic, and one thing is for sure, the next time you are in Goa, you will pause and think for a second about its unique and diverse culture and the place it holds in the Indian history.

What worked:

• the movie as a whole works; one of the few movies in Hindi which is beautifully shot, edited, written and directed. The ensemble cast are justifiable and these characters have their own subplot and layers on them. I was pleasantly surprised by the camera work. The movie is thin sliced narrative with multiple plots working together on the wholesome theme. The set design, costume and dialogues are rich which adds to the music and culture of the Portuguese Goan.

What did not work:

• slowburn; the narrative is diverted and the movie takes a bit more time to set the mood of the movie.Although the movie is engaging and rich, we keep wondering for most of the movie where it is directing, at least for me personally.
• metaphorical; the title of the movie gains its worth once the movie experience is completed and wisely contemplated. I wish I would have some references or some more scenes that lead me to justify the title. There is some but I would have wanted more.

Final verdict: highly recommended, keep your window open and enjoy the experience