Last night was the special screening of Tanvi The Great that is Anupam Kher’s second directorial after Om Jai Jagdish of 2002. The event was presented by Dubai based businessman Rajan Lall who is an old friend of Kher. The special screening at VOX Cinemas at Grand Cineplex stars debutante Shubhangi Dutt who is Kher’s protege from his acting school An Actor Prepares.
The film follows the life of a young girl Tanvi, who comes from an army background ( with her great grand father, grand father and father in the army). In fact her father, played by Karan Tacker, is killed in an ambush just as he is about to fulfill his life’s mission as a soldier. Tanvi takes it upon herself to fulfill that wish – first to be a soldier in the Indian army and carry on her late dad’s wish.
Tanvi’s mother is played by actor Pallavi Joshi who is an expert on autism and is the supportive mother who understands her daughter’s condition and gives her a conducive environment to let her thrive. Her nuanced performance symbolizes the importance of an educated parent equipped with the knowledge of helping her child reach her dreams, never mind her condition.
Shubhangi Dutt who plays Tanvi is fresh, uninhibited and wears her role with precision and craft. Her character exhibits semantic memory of certain topics especially seen in autistic individuals who love their subjects – in this case botany, army and space. And within this curiosity and accumulating knowledge, lies Tanvi’s unfiltered conversations where she doesn’t understand diplomacy and veneered/manipulated conversations – all of which provides room for laughs and smiles.
The canvas of the film set in the hills, feels like the cool breeze grazing your cheek. All stemming from Kher’s growing up years in his hometown Shimla. Kher uses the image of a bright winged bird that comes and goes in Tanvi’s vision (only)- it is used as a trope to take audiences to Tanvi’s inner world that is enchanting, unfettered, pure and free.
In an earlier interview with me, Anupam Kher had mentioned about people in small towns and their genuine affection and love to their neighbors and the support they show each other – such is a world that Kher creates for Tanvi. Her ‘eccentric’ music teacher played by Boman Irani is appalled by her directness initially but soon realizes her special talent and becomes her lifelong friend. Arvind Swamy ( who speaks in his Tamil accented Hindi), as does Nasser ( who interviews her for her intention to join the Indian army) are both cast well – they add diversity and range to a film that essentially is based in North India. Also they are witnesses to and are affected by the unique personality of Tanvi who is unbothered of their rank, strictness or intimidating positions. Swamy emotes with his eyes and adds to the stoic and resilient role as an injured ex army man. As does Jackie Shroff who plays the supportive friend who helps fulfill Tanvi’s wish. His role in this film makes you recall his role as an airman in JP Dutta’s Border – albeit for a different cause in this film.
Actor Kalpana Iyer and her sister Kavita Iyer with Anupam Kher at the screening
Karan Tacker who is seen in flashbacks, in visions and on video represents the young soldiers of the Indian army who are filled with passion, determination and the will to lay down their live for their country and the gap they leave for their families and friends when they pass on . The film showcases the Indian army in its opulence. – and reminds the audience of their great services to the nation.
Anupam Kher who has written, directed and co produced the film plays Tanvi’s grand dad who is a vision of stoicism throughout the film till the ‘mountain of ice,’ breaks in the end. Playing a former solider and a grieving father, he is restrained and held back in his role and has given it his all. You feel for him in his interaction with a Gen Z kid who prefers to be a social media influencer than being a soldier because it pays more and is safer. Kher hardly smiles in the film making his character cloaked in a sense of anger, loss, loneliness and despair – only to be transformed towards the end of the film.
The common verdict – the film left several audience members teary eyed. The film through and through advocates kindness and understanding we need to show as a society ( both as individuals and institutions) towards people with special needs though revised demeanor, patience, chances and most importantly inclusion. That the differently abled are not abnormal but above normal and we need to adjust our lenses to capture their light – that they shower endlessly without agenda, without borders – in spaces they feel safe, valued and celebrated. Isn’t it true about all of us too – don’t we thrive in spaces like that?
Watch the film because it makes you reconnect to your sense of goodness through the character of Tanvi. Algorithms of success are not the same for everyone in this world because people can be ‘different but no less; incidentally the title of Anupam Kher’s recent book! Review coming soon!
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