Three of Us

Words can't describe how happy I was when the credits of this film rolled in. Finally, an indie film from my homeland that respects the craft of filmmaking and tries to service it. A film that doesn't try too hard and a film that is actually Indian in its core. And Three of Us is that film.

There's a certain sort of comfort to be found in this film. This film inherently wants you to soak in India. It wants to immerse you in the culture and make you fall in love with it all over again. The long drawn shots, the conversations and the portrayal of the natural way of life, makes you fixated on the beauty of our land and the people. It's not just Shailaja who is rediscovering her hometown, but it's also us who get to look at it with a delicate set of eyes and rediscover what was once lost in the rush of life.

Avinash Arun's Three of Us is a harrowingly beautiful and a poignant tale of finding yourself after a diagnosis of one of the worst and most heartbreaking diseases known to man - dementia. This tale of trying to gather your memories before the disease overcomes you explores many facets of life and takes you on a journey that reminds you to slow down, sit, love and enjoy what you have.

Not enough could be said about the direction and screenplay. Sky was the limit after Paatal Lok for Avinash Arun, but with this film he not only touches the limit but goes beyond it. The atmosphere he manages to create makes it irresistible to not get lost in the town of Konkan.

What I think was one of this film's greatest feat is the thread of stories that unravel and reveal information that we are hearing for the first time and so is Shailaja. We get to experience the wave of emotions that the lead is feeling and in some way get to be part of her emotional sphere, further enhancing the immersion and draw of this film. I was looking at this film with the same eyes and mind as Shailaja and I think that filmmaking genius.

Speaking of Shailaja, played by Shefali Shah gives us a performance of a lifetime. Her approach to the character made the film what it is and this word which I keep using to describe the film, "delicate", come to mind. Because that's what it was, delicate and thoughtful portrayal. Another one of the shining stars of this film was Jaideep Ahlawat, who I absolutely fell in love with over the course of 100 minutes of this film, I want to commend the screenwriters for developing a healthy and effable Indian male model who is wholesome and respectful and it never comes across as too try hard, in fact it might just be one of the best portrayals on screen of a character such as his. Special mention to Swanand Kirkire, one of the most talented people to grace this industry. Singing, songwriting, screenwriting and acting, this man excels in all.

If I could, I would show this to each and every person working in the industry. It's a shining beacon of what Bollywood should stand for and strive for. Three of Us achieves something that I thought was unachievable. It has the same touch and the same way of delicate handling as a Satyajit Ray film. It reminisces of an era of Indian filmmaking long gone by and not only pays homage to but successfully moves the genre forward.

Needless to say, watch this movie and spread the word about it. We need more stuff like this and we have to let them know what we like.

Definitely worth watching, without a doubt.

Three of Us is simple, straightforward, and realistic storytelling done right. The plot isn't pathbreaking given there are recent examples worth referring to, but it's the film's picturesque Konkan setting, soothing soundscape, and lovely performances that make it memorable.

It helps that the director in Avinash Arun takes precedence over the cinematographer, as he's not only able to treat us to beautiful frames, but also able to tell a moving story about someone looking to reconnect with their past, with the likelihood of forgetting it all again. Shefali Shah makes even the gentlest of smiles and glances mean something more in a performance that warrants every bit of attention it gets. She's already on a fantastic run lately, and I'm sure she'll keep delivering solid work.

Jaideep Ahlawat backs her up in a wonderfully written supporting role (with a spectrum of emotions), and he carries the poetic demeanor with consummate ease. Kudos to the man for having taken on roles that bring out the versatility in him - An Action Hero, this, and Jaane Jaan immediately come to mind. All these characters are demanding in different ways, and they're all safe in Jaideep's hands.

Swanand Kirkire is also endearing and sweetly relatable in the role of Shefali Shah's husband, and during their low-key exchanges, there's an irresistible next-door charm to them. While the use of music/score is commendable in certain portions, what I truly want to appreciate is the use of ambient sound. There's a scene with Shah's character sitting at a park in Mumbai, the city sounds in that particular scene evoke the feel of tidal waves, and it acts as a precursor for when the couple actually visit the Konkan coast.

Some scenes feel slightly rough around the edges, especially one where the husband-wife conversation displays signs of heat (but is defused shortly after) in the pre-final act, along with the one at the hut with an elderly woman. On the other hand, there are some absolutely brilliant stretches of writing and acting. The ferris wheel sequence is symbolic of the circle of life. It's true; the older we get, the yearning for home, and the opportunities to reconnect with childhood friends & memories keeps getting stronger. Also, I like how dementia isn't the film's centerpiece, although its undercurrent is felt throughout.

There is no doubt that it is one of the best movies among the best three movies of 2023.

More to say about the BGM. Impossibly good Absolutely perfect. While BGM is good in most movies, Foley work is not very good. But there was no mistake here.

We all know that Shefali Shah is a very classy actress. Here again she recognized her caste. I am surprised to see her. If you put her in any container, she can take the form of that place. Which is the best quality of a great actor or actress. I think the movie would have been wonderful without Shefali Shah. The character is made for Shefali Shah only. The fact that she dances so well would have remained unknown without watching the movie.

Shefali Shah always needs a good actor to accompany her. The movie is also perfect in character selection. Jaideep Ahlawat. I think Jaideep Ahlawat is an underrated actor. It is unfortunate that Indian cinema could not use him properly.

Not mentioning the cinematography would be unfair to the movie. The location is very well chosen.

I think this is the best movie of 2023. I was forced to give 10 out of 10 to be perfect in all aspects. Highly recommended.

It's the most devastating tale about the human condition & yet so hopeful & positive.

I've had my heart broken a million times through the movie yet ended up thoroughly loving it .

I'll remember it for the sparkle in Shefali Shah's eyes. They are empty and expressive at the same time. She is one of the finest actors in Hindi cinema.

I'll also remember it for Jaideep Ahlawat's smile. His calmness and body language makes him completely suitable for romantic roles.

Together, these two power house actors are a delight to watch on screen.

Ably supported by Swanand Kirkire in the quintessential role of the husband who cares and respects his wife. There's one conflict scene for him in which he forces a fight with his wife. He is fantastic in this heart-wrenching scene. As also throughout the film.

There's not one high-pitched dialogue in the entire film. Everything is subtle and understated.

The Ferris wheel scene in the final act is film-making at its absolute best.

I feel this is Director and Cinematographer Avinash Arun's best work, yet. And, he already has a repertoire of brilliant work. The cinematography is simply breathtaking. He's also contributed to the screenplay alongwith Omkar Achyut Barve and Arpita Chatterjee. It has a beautiful background score by Alokananda Dasgupta, which is only used sparingly giving lots of scope for silent moments.

In this slam-bang, life-in-quick cuts world of movies this film is refreshingly different and stands apart. It is poignant and without any of the usual cliches.

But it may not appeal to everyone.

It is an experience to be appreciated on the big screen. Three of Us is worth every rupee spent.

"To know and feel all this and not have the words to express it makes a human a grave of his own thoughts."

I want to begin the review with the quotes by metaphysical poet John Donne. I had recently quoted his poem for the terrific "Sapta Sagaradaache Ello: Side A (2023)," and "Three of Us" echoes the same yearning and ethereal feeling. It has been hours since I saw the latter, but I am still grappling with the film's emotions, like an outlander lost in a labyrinth. The profound impact is such that I have been daydreaming about alternative closures, vividly imagining the characters assuming different fates, especially Shailaja (Shefali Shah). I really tried to brush off the thought of putting together a movie in my mind. I knew that dwelling on it would only evoke a melancholic feeling, a stillness which sometimes is comforting, isolating, inviting thoughts and to ponder on life in a good way. This hit me so hard with its simplicity that I feel compelled to share something about it.

Coming to the story, those who have seen the trailer will have a general idea of the plot and it very much lingers on the same thread. It is a poignant film touching on the fading memories of a woman diagnosed with dementia as the mundanity of her life looms over her, like a heavy weight on her heart and mind. She had a sense of yearning to visit her childhood home set in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Compelled by this longing for her childhood home, she embarks on a journey to confront the nostalgia, the echoes of guilt, and the regrets that have haunted her. She is accompanied by her husband Dipankar Desai (Sawanand Kirkire) who supports her quest. As the plot moves, her journey is captured with a nostalgic lens, congregating between worlds with a bittersweet intersection of a childhood crush Pradeep (Jaideep Ahlawat). From here we see so many emotions at play as the arrival of the latter begins to fill and create a void for the people involved and gradually results in fall out. But Shailaja who is now viewing the world through a foggy lens treads among the familiar streets of her childhood with her husband and former flame by her side. I don't want to delve more into the plotline as it is a tapestry of various emotions, inviting contemplation and reflection and an experience to be viewed in its own right.

I'm very hesitant to recommend it to everyone due to its pacing and the screenplay devoid of clichés which is its greatest asset. In the fast-paced smartphone generation sitting through "Three of Us" is a big yawn and it is definitely for the acquired taste. But this is the kind of movie that passionate cinephiles must support and SPREAD THE WORD. Kudos, to director Avinash Arun Dhaware and the team for this gem. Personally, this has to be his best considering his brilliant body of work. I love the choice of his characters and it hits the bull's eye in this film, they seem to complement each other very well. It is so tough to pick one as the best performance, everyone has aced it all around and gelled realistically to their respective character traits.

In closing, it is an experience to witness Shailaja in the forgotten yet flourishing garden of her memories and the question of whether she found solace and redemption must be savored as a bittersweet delight. You can smile but you're also about to feel sad but can't do either.