Many times we see ourselves in a situation where we are bound to hide our true identity. Why is that so? This complex human behavior may not have any clear reason, but it’s somehow the fear of others judging us. But in reality, rather than others it’s just we who are either ashamed of ourselves or just think of it as a short time escape from the real world.
Recently, I watched Rituparno Ghosh’s ‘Raincoat’, a 2004 film which is meant to explore this side of our behavior as it follows up the story of two ex-lovers whose story ended on a dissatisfied note. However, when they meet again after a long time and it’s not as same as their carefree days of youth. They are seized with responsibilities.
We are followed up from the view of Manoj (Ajay Devgn), hence we are well aware of his past and present. And as we tune into Neerja (Aishwarya Rai) what we know about her is that she left Mannu to marry a well-to-do man in the city of Kolkata. But once a cheerful Neeru has lost her charm and we can see it from the way she carries herself, there’s a disinterest within her. Might be just due to the loneliness she experiences while her husband is on business tours.
On one side where Mannu hides his true Identity from her, Neeru sounds pretty depressed for untold reasons. But as the story paces further, the ‘Raincoat’ in the film plays it’s part which brings out the truth and their real identities and leaves us questioning,
“Why are we bound to behave in such a complex manner?”
The story is set in one rainy afternoon, beautifully composed and talks more than any film ever did to me. ‘Raincoat’ is truly a beautiful experience and all must go through it. It will be relevant until Humans and Relationships exist.
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