Packed with powerful performances
Film: The Silence
CAST: Anjali Patil, Nagraj Manjule, Raghubir Yadav, Mugda Chaphekar, Vedashree Mahajan, Kadambari Kadam, Mihiresh Joshi
DIRECTOR: Gajendra Ahire RATING: ★★★★
Based on a true story, Silence, is about three women who experience different forms of sexual exploitation. While travelling on a Mumbai local, Chini (Mugda Chapekar), a small-town migrant to the big city, witnesses a woman being molested. The narrative then cuts away to her premenstrual childhood where she is shown living with her helpless widower father while her older sister Manda (Kadambari Kadam) is fighting away the lechers of opportunism, working her way into the film industry as a background dancer.
The incident on the train triggers a bad memory from Chini’s traumatic childhood and she has to find her way to a closure that might not nec- essarily make her whole again. The incident being referred to is of rape – by her own maternal uncle who was invested with her caretaking during her first menstruation. The lecherous uncle (Nagraj Manjule) is also responsible for marital rape that he subjects his passive aggressive wife (Anjali Patil) to, and he is also the reason why Manda, the starlet, is subjected to sleazy advances from an opportunistic employer.
Gajendra Ahire treats the shocking incident with subtle guile, allowing for a deepening sense of outrage as the narrative progresses to its destined conclusion. The performances, especially Anjali Patil and Nagraj Manjule are simply outstanding.
The narrative flow is smooth and inviting, allowing for an involvement that sears a deep swathe through your heart and mind. The film is a powerful and heartfelt document of the kind of exploitation that women are subjected to and the trauma and aftermath they undergo in order to regain a healthy sense of self. It’s a must watch for sure.