A scene from ‘Trishanku’
When a couple elopes, it often starts a chain reaction of emotional drama that involves lots of family members and stressful days or months or even years for the couple. If the couple is from a different religion or caste, the drama and tension will escalate exponentially. It can also have violent consequences. But in Achyut Vinayak’s debut film ThrishankuParalleling two halves of the same family, it’s a fun ride that also includes two uncles.
with cloudanna benUnder pressure from her father to get married, her lover Sethu (Arjun Ashokan) hatches an elaborate plan for them. But the morning they are about to elope, Sethu’s sister Sumi (Zareen Shihab) also elopes with her lover (Siva Hariharan), spoiling his plans. Although Sethu is ready to shelve the plan for the time being, he has to go on a mission together with his two uncles to find his sister. Now Megha, who has already left her house, is neither stuck here and there in a ‘trishanku’ situation!
The film, at first glance, may appear to revolve around the couples, but it is Sethu’s uncle, who takes center-stage as the narrative progresses, becoming the source of much humour. One can imagine the thought process that went into writing these two characters, who are definitely inspired by many overbearing uncles we come across in real life. While the superstitious uncle (Nandhu) is brimming with caste pride and a member of an upper caste organization, the other (Suresh Krishna) is a bit more rational and open-minded, but still old-fashioned. Being on a trip with both can be quite a daunting prospect for a nephew who has especially a lot to hide.
Thrishanku
Director: Achyut Vinayak
Starring: Anna Ben, Arjun Ashokan, Nandhu, Suresh Krishna, Zarin Shihab, Shiva Hariharan
Runtime: 112 minutes
Storyline: The day Arjun decides to elope with Megha, his sister elopes with her lover, causing his plan to fail and lead to hilarious results.
The uncles, and the situations they land in, are so integral to the narrative that one has to wonder how boring the whole trip would have been for these annoying, but unintentionally-fun uncles. Of course, it is another matter that in real life, racists would not be so harmless and could make life hell for inter-religious or inter-caste couples. But then again, we have more serious kinds of movies to talk about. The scenes of these two being affected by culture shock in a pub are hilarious. So do they exchange with each other and with the bridge.
Running away is also a way for Megha to escape from her eccentric father, a single parent and a former policeman. Unlike the wavering Setu, she appears as the stronger, decisive one between the two. It is only when it comes to Sethu’s sister Sumi and her lover, that the script appears rushed and seems to convey the opposite of what the film wanted to say, though there are some dialogues to explain it. But this part also serves to expose Sethu’s hypocrisy.
Although in the end things become predictable, without too many obstacles, Thrishanku Provides for a reasonably fun ride until we get there.
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