A look at what happens when the unthinkable happens. For some, when the dawn breaks, it's just another day, but for others, it is anything but.
By Vishesh Mankal
Cinema is first and foremost a visual medium. That is not to say that other elements that go into making a film are irrelevant (as we shall see later on in this review), it’s just that this medium shines brightest when filmmakers use visuals to tell their stories. Prataya Saha’s “Just Another Day” understands this and, as such, emerges as a good example of the old adage “Show, don’t tell”.
The plot of “Just Another Day” is best left for audiences to discover and spoiling it here would be unfair to everyone, not least of all to the filmmakers. Suffice to say that this film keeps unraveling till the last second and to know what happens beforehand would spoil its final effect. In fact, this film keeps you hooked from beginning to end mainly because it doesn’t show you all its cards in one go. Just like in real life, there is always something new to discover just around the corner. However, since some sort of a plot summary is expected from a review, one might say that the film is about a woman seeking legal separation from her husband. To know any more than this wouldn’t do anyone any good; the “hows & and “whys are best discovered by watching the film itself. Fair warning, however; the themes do get rather heavy and some viewer discretion may be required for particularly sensitive individuals. That is not to say the film is unwatchable in any way. It’s just that this film does not shy away from going to some truly dark places.
The heavy-lifting is mainly done here by Anshulika Kapoor, who plays Anjali Katekar, the film’s main protagonist. She gives a fascinatingly nuanced performance and one is never really sure what’s going on in her head and it’s that mystery that keeps one glued to the screen. Like the film’s screenplay, she doesn’t reveal all her cards in one go and leaves room for new truths to emerge as the story progresses. In the absence of much dialogue, the other star of the film is the sound design. Initially it seems to exist only to create the right mood and the correct ambience. But its true brilliance becomes apparent when it transcends its technical duties and becomes instrumental in advancing the plot. Again, details are being withheld for everyone’s benefit, but you will know when it happens. The film’s cinematographer, Abhishek Saravanan, has also done a good job, especially in the film’s climax, where he employs some remarkably moody lighting to convey Anjali’s despairing state of mind.
Prataya Saha’s “Just Another Day” is a film that deals with heavy themes and does so with professional expertise. No one film, however, can encapsulate and address all that needs to be addressed in this particular space, regardless of duration. Having said that, one would be remiss not to admit that it is important to get conversations going and make people aware of evils that suffocate society. And that, this film does admirably well, all the while being technically first-rate. Give it a watch if you are in the mood for something insightful and thoughtful.
Produced by Desktop Films in creative association with Red Polka Productions* the film has been a selection in more than 20+ renowned film festivals & has so far won 6 awards in different categories.
For people in Bangalore, the film is having a private preview on 12th December at Suchitra Film Society (6pm) along with its cast & crew, if you happen to be around then give it a watch.
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