Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Hiral Sidhu, Priyanka Bose, Tillotama Shome, Awan Pookot, Deepak Dobriyal
Platform: In Theatres
Witten and directed by Raam Reddy, Jugnuma - The Fable is a tale unlike any other. Set in the spring of 1989, the story is about Dev (Manoj Bajpayee) a simple but well-off man who lives with his family - comprising of his wife, Nandini (Priyanka Bose), daughter, Vanya (Hiral Sidhu)), son, Juju (Awan Pookot) and two dogs in a colonial mansion in the Himalayas. Despite owning acres of fruit orchard estate, they live an unexciting but comfortable life, that's until the spring of 1989 when Dev discovers trees in his orchard mysteriously getting burned.
What initially starts as just one tree mysteriously burning, soon snowballs into acres of his orchard and forest goes up in flames. With no explanation in sight on how or why the fires are starting, everyone becomes a suspect. But who is the culprit? Is it the workers? Is it the peaceful nomads? Is it the shady local middleman who is complicating the investigation? The finger points at many, but who will it stick to? Will Dev be able to keep his family safe as the unexplainable fire begin burning closer to his home? To know the answers, book yourself a ticket and get ready to be transported to 1989. Scroll below o read our honest review of Jugnuma - The Faable.
The experience of being transported to the late 1980s with the film's cinematography as well as the manner in which he film is shot. For the unversed, the film has been shot on 16mm stocks with intentional underexposure for a naturalistic look and not digital camera. The cast's stellar acting is the cherry on the cake.
Jugnuma's screenplay - though brilliantly penned, is slow and fractured - very unlike the films we are used to today.
The editing could be crisper, but given the lengths the makers have gone to in order to recreate the 80s experience, we have to say - they are in sync.
In Jugnuma, Manoj Bajpayee gives a masterclass in nuanced acting. Be it when he's flying around the mountains with his mechanical wings and or just worrying about his orchards burning up in flames and wanting to keep his family safe, the actor's serene and worried expressions make you feel his emotions.
If slow dramas shrouded in mystery is your cup of tea, then this unusual drama is a must-watch. With a runtime of less than 2 hours, do head to theatres to watch Jugnuma with friends and family.
Watch the trailer of Jugnuma - The Fable here:
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