Agra

Agra is a decent watch from Kanu Behl. It is not a mainstream film and deals with a dysfunctional family living in a congested two-story house, exploring their respective desires for personal space. The underlying theme revolves around sexual repression in all the characters. Shot in crowded spaces with excellent camerawork and sound design (I loved the old songs playing on the radio), the movie is engaging throughout. The acting is top-notch from all the cast members, with special mention to debutant Mohit Agarwal and Priyanka Bose, who both nailed their performances. Depicting the psychological angle of sexual repression through the character of Mala, played by Ruhani Sharma, worked very well. Overall, Agra is a brave attempt by Kanu Behl.

Agra has a fantastic opening for a film that aims to talk about things that is rarely talked about in India. An incel, living with a family where the guardian has brought in his lover to stay with his wife and children, is at the centre of the story. He is sexually repressed and is unable to focus on his life's progress. The film unravels slowly, taking its own sweet time to meander through a few scenes to show what it really means to be a involuntary celibate in a crowded city like Agra that is also known for a mental hospital. There is a lot of nudity and violence here and I'm not sure what to make of the former but I'm certain this is going to ruffle a few feathers if and when it premieres theatrically. Terrific performances make this a must-watch.

(Watched its India premiere at the 2023 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)