Barah by Barah Film Review : Life’s Impermanence through a Death Photographer’s Lens

🙄🙄🙄 (3 out of 5)

📝 Review Rani’s Rave: “A death-obsessed shutterbug, an ancient city, and the relentless march of technology – welcome to the slow-cooker of existential crises, folks. 📸☠️🏞️”

In the heart of Varanasi’s Manikarnika ghat, our gloomy protagonist, a ‘death photographer’ (I kid you not), grapples with the finite nature of life and his rapidly redundant profession. As technology, that age-old villain, threatens to rob him of his livelihood, he’s forced to consider venturing out of his comfort zone. Quite the photographic plate of existential dread, isn’t it?

Directed by Gaurav Madan and co-written by Sunny Lahiri, the film takes us on a leisurely tour of life’s impermanence through the lens of our morose protagonist, Sooraj (Gyanendra Tripathi). This dynamic duo manages to capture the essence of the ancient city and its unhurried pace with such meticulousness that I halfway expected to see a cow wander into my living room. 🐄

The film’s backbone is its nuanced narrative. Sooraj’s life, as well as those around him, is on the brink of a major shift. His wife Meena (Bhumika Dube), is the grounding force in his life, his sister Mansi (Geetika Vidya Ohlyan) has traded the ghats for the hustle of Delhi, creating a chasm between her and their father, Parbat (Harish Khanna). And if that wasn’t enough, Sooraj’s best bud, Dubey (Akash Sinha), wants to quit his regular brothel visits and settle down. Quite the soap opera, wouldn’t you agree? 🍿

However, the film’s real jewel lies in its subtle symbolism. Keep your peepers peeled for the different cameras used throughout the film. Each one, from compact digital cameras to DSLRs and smartphones, represents changing times and the evolution of our dear Sooraj. It’s like watching the evolution of man, but with cameras. 📷

The performances are subtle, yet impactful. Gyanendra Tripathi and Bhumika Dube steal the show as a soft-spoken couple deeply in love, while Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, as a fearless woman and a caring sister, is power personified. Harish Khanna, as a traditional man, delivers an impressive performance.

So, if you’re a fan of rapid-fire storytelling, steer clear. But if you’re a patient viewer who enjoys a good old slow burn, this film is a meditative journey into the realms of change, mortality, and family dynamics. Just remember to pack some snacks; it’s a long ride. 🍫🍿🥤

Rani’s Wrap-Up: “In the world of ‘click and go’, ‘Death Photographer’ is a slow-developing Polaroid that captures the fading light of an ancient profession. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but this movie? It’s worth at least a few sarcastic quips and a barrel of laughs. So, buckle up buttercups, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!” 😂🎢🎬