Jhini Bini Chadariya

Highly recommended! This is a movie about love and hope, which are ultimately bound by religious and societal tensions. How one's place in society carves their destiny and overpowers their hopes and desires. The movie is film in the city of Varanasi in India in real life. This gives the viewer an intimate sense of the bustle, clutter, chaos, and charm of the city, which adds a realistic dimension to the plot. The actors' poignant performances made me very emotional and touched by the plight of the main characters. The plot is interesting and unexpected and both the acting and the story line made me watch the movie several times.

The film very beautifully illustrated intricate fabrics of human intentions, love and loss. Despite individuals simply living their lives and minding their own business, they become unwitting pawns in political agendas. It emphasizes that inaction is a meaningful action, a silent permission. The film underscores the importance of setting aside propaganda to focus on individual lives, urging viewers to preserve empathy and love.

I personally can relate to the relevance of this movie since I have travelled to Israel. It had given me an opportunity to keep aside my biases. Life is too short to ignore beauty shown in this film. Just mundane life and yet worth noting. The film leaves me dejected that people don't understand and this will continue to happen.

This film is absolutely stunning. The acting is not just good; it's honest, raw, and captured with breathtaking precision. The storyline skillfully entwines four unlikely characters in a mesmerizing tapestry, creating a striking and unforgettable narrative. The film adopts a documentary-style approach, immersing the audience in the vivid sights of Varanasi. The cinematography is so immersive that it transports every viewer to the heart of the city, creating a collective experience as if we were all present together. This distinctive filmmaking style is unique, exquisite, and raw. This is unequivocally a must-watch film, an experience that will leave an indelible mark on your cinematic sensibilities.

As a part of 5th #bbkff2023 (Satyajit Ray Film Society Bengaluru) I had the privilege of watching a cinematic masterpiece "Jhini Bini Chadariya" (The Brittle Thread) . Ritesh Sharma's directorial prowess and the stellar performances by Megna and Muzaffar Khan left me in awe. The film beautifully captures the essence of Banaras, as Ritesh aptly put it, " It is said about Banaras that the azaan wakes up people to go to the temple, it's a beautiful city full of ordinary people with interesting stories."

Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, the movie unfolds as a poignant love story, weaving together visually stunning shots. It skillfully portrays the impact of religious politics and polarization on the lives of common, innocent people. Ritesh's insightful quote about Banaras resonates throughout the narrative, shedding light on the intricate layers of the city's social fabric.

The film serves as a powerful commentary on the dangerous trend of using religion as a tool for political manipulation, depicting the helplessness of the common people. It's disheartening that such impactful films often circulate primarily within festivals, limiting their reach. I highly recommend adding this thought-provoking film to your bucket list for its profound exploration of societal complexities and the universal theme of love within chaos.

I had a good opportunity to watch Jhini Bini Chadariya online at NYIFF 2022.

Two love stories, two religions, two parallel worlds, a thread almost snapping between two fingers - all in a city of two cultural contrasts and extremes, Varanasi!

The ending sunk me. Actually, shouldn't so, for such horrors have become regular occurrences since decades and more so with the current dispensation.

Spellbinding sights and sounds of the religious city, some standout frames of winding staircases, prayers and the looms, and a spontaneous and vivacious performance by Megha, are the strongpoints of the film.