“लक्ष्मण रेखाएँ खींचने से पहले अपने आप से पूछिए, क्या आप लक्ष्मण हैं?”
– मनोज मुन्तशिर
Short films have been appealing to the masses for an extended period- ever since the viewer’s attention span of consuming the content has decreased massively. Filmmakers and writers are creating impactful storylines within 30 minutes or even less.
When streaming platforms are brim with dark fantasies, confining realities, conventional masculinity, and savage content, short films are inspiring a spectrum of visual delight which is uplifting and empowering without being preachy about societal or patriarchal issues. And one such shade in the spectrum is ‘Khayali Pulao,’ the one that translates from the Hindi phrase meaning “Flights Of Fancy.”
The film debut YouTube content creator Prajakta Koli in the main lead. Asha (Prajakta Koli) is a daydreamer confined in a small village in Haryana. Sports coach at her school Kharab Sir (Yashpal Sharma) announces that he is willing to create a handball team for a match on Republic Day. An ace in acadmeics, Asha looks all excited and determined to be a part of the team. Bur surprisingly, in a cherished cradle of sports – Haryana, absorbing this obsession of Asha becomes a tough task for her teacher, coach, friends and mother. However, the audience is made to believe, that it is not her craze for the sport, but its the uniform, a T-shirt and shorts, that attracts her.
The theatrics which follows has obvious shades of gender bias reflected through a regressive father offended by a village girl wearing jeans and t-shirt; a worrying mother who is busy contemplating about the marriage prospects for her girl. But surprisingly the organic flow of the movies ensures that the shades are intense without being overdramatic.
Prajakta is brilliant as Asha and takes us on a ride of emotions throughout the film. Her defiance embodied in her attempts to learn the skills of the game via internet is somewhat a progressive commentary on exploitation of technology to break the glass ceilings. Her hold on Haryanvi Dialect is impressive and expresses well through eyes and body language. Her best friend (played by Anushka Sharma) in supporting role is a person we all have in our lives- the one who wittingly hints her on common myths about girls who play sports. In her limited screen presence, she emerges as a promising actor. Priyanka Sharma, portrayed as Indu Ma’am plays an amazing role, providing Asha a leap of hope to follow her dreams.
The short movie ‘Khayali Pulao’ is no ordinary Hindi film. Instead, it is a perfect description of how characters work well in uplifting one another. Yashpal isn’t a strict coach. Instead, he’s sweet and supportive, doesn’t wear the villain hat, and focuses on building a solid handball team. What’s even more interesting about his character is that at one point in the film Yashpal, too, walks down the memory lane and reminisces himself in Asha’s shoes. Yes, self-doubt and distant dreams had been sabotaging his wings- displaying a perfect yet interesting contrast of emotions between the two characters.
Geeta Sharma is another fantastic character, played as Asha’s mother. She’s calm, supportive, genuine, and friendly- a perfect mother, every girl in India, longs for!
Writer-Director, Tarun Dudeja deserves a bow for teaching us the meaning of true freedom, making us realize that even the smallest of dreams or desires can be of utmost importance to someone, what we call a privilege for the other. Freedom varies from person to person, and its meaning could be personal in its dream world.
Cinematographer Manoj Kumar Khatoi and Director, Tarun, bring about a blend of cinematic aesthetics conveying metaphoric messages falling in sync with Asha’s desires. It is commendable to witness interesting mise-en-scène with Asha’s emotions and fears.
The portrayal of Bhagat Singh & beginning of Asha’s struggle in one frame is beyond appreciation and is added to the movie through the narrative song “Tu Khel Se Mel Nai Khati”. The plane’s reflection in dark water showcases her journey from the scene of (once) holding her back to the day of becoming a ‘Super Woman‘ – breaking the societal stereotypes.
The scorching summer heat and the intensity of the handball thrown at her is very well-depicted in the song ‘Gaon Yeh Bole Bas Kar Ismein Tera Koi Na Saathi Tu Haarke Thak Kyun Nahin Jaati.’
Music is the heart and soul of this film; it has folk and rustic flavours composed by Sanket Sane, Rishi Dutta, Shivangi Bhayana, and Mohit Gaur. “Tu Khel Se Mel Nai Khati” is a no-cut song that holds a viewer captivated by diving deep into Asha’s emotions when she almost decides to give up on her dreams. “Mann Ki Titliyaan” song also helps the audience experience butterflies in their stomach.
Editors Pooja Pillai & Manish Sharma deserve a massive round of applause for keeping the audience hooked till the end.
Tarun Dudeja has not just unlayered the Indian stereotypes but has beautifully pictured every relationship of Asha’s character in the film. His metaphoric screenplay and art elements are smartly placed in scenes of hope, failure, desires, optimism and willingness; through freedom fighter portrait as a contrast to her struggles, exciting play of harshness of the sun, sports room walls and more.
Giving a small-town girl an identity of her own is a step toward breaking the deep seated stereotypes of Indian society.
While Khayali Pulao came across as a light-hearted, genuine, feel good film, it manages to teach an important lesson on the actual meaning of freedom. Leaving an individual to introspect that there is an Asha in all of us, busy making its own Khayali Pulao stopping and/or leading us to a solid path to success.
Rating: ★★★★
Edited by Mreegakshi Sarna