Released in 2016 and currently available via YouTube for free, the short film 'Taandav' primarily caught my attention as a fan of the National Award winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, who stars in it as the titular character- Head constable Tambe, who isn't really having the best day of his life. After facing a cunning private school principal who refuses to enroll his daughter into her school without a bribe, and later the mumbled ire of his own corrupt staff who bad-mouth him at the station for his firm and honest methods of policing, one can only imagine that Tambe eventually transforms into a desensitised and miserable individual, closed off from the world and to the situations that are unfolding around him... Until a colourfully loud 'Ganpati visarjan' procession passes by on the street, and allows the frustrated cop to unabashedly 'unleash the inner animal within him', thus immersing himself in life's pleasantries in a musical fashion instead.
Occasionally an individual needs a seratonin boost to recharge their batteries, break through the monotony of their life (or of adulting in general) or more specifically, break free from a mental burnout, and the climactic event that unfolds in the last few minutes of Indian filmmaker and writer Devashish Makhija's short but sweet film effortlessly provides the same. However, simultaneously it also serves up a slice of life and a bitter aftertaste that leaves one to ponder over the many existing corrupt and aggressive practices prevailing at most establishments that have led to such mental or physical hardships too- Be it the unlawful activities persisting behind closed doors at an institution such as a police station where one expects the bare minimum of the law to be upheld, or at seemingly prestigious centres for knowledge and education such as schools, or God forbid, even openly at places of worship!
As far as performances go, it is a one-man show by Manoj Bajpayee through and through! The actor has proven time and again rather meticulously that sometimes less can be more and in a niche short film that doesn't require too much of 'dialogue-baazi' , he utilises just his eyes to convey the stern, almost deadpan demeanor of the sincerely fed-up head constable Tambe in the first half when he is at his lowest and thus maintaining his stoic and silent demeanor, but also manages to capture the character's momentary bliss simply by closing his eyes as he transitions into an unmasked and unhinged childlike 'phase' once the stressed Tambe enters into a trance at the last minute. And the possibly improvised choreography of the aforementioned dance number only further elevates the delightful and explosive nature of his performance (yes, I'm referring to the actor's surprisingly on-point twerking!).
Rest assured, this 11 minute short film with minimal cast and dialogue but maximum impact is a must watch and a simple treat that will lighten up a dull day too. If nothing else, at least the funky background score and the memorable hyper energy of Manoj Bajpayee will leave you grinning from ear to ear!
By,
Vidal D'Costa
(Vidal D'Costa is a self published author in scifi and romance in both print and digital on major platforms. A blogger who was bit by the writing bug at age 15, she has since branched out as a freelance content writer as well as a film critic/journalist who occasionally moonlights as an indie filmmaker herself. Her work as a poet has been featured in a plethora of anthologies and her short films have been showcased at various global film festivals)
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