Some of my thoughts, which are being penning down here, might have been covered in my friend’s article
https://sidbharati.blog/2019/10/12/one-year-of-96/
but nevertheless; this is my version about the movie.
1 - Nenokkadine movie haunted me for about 3 or 4 months before I moved on. But for 96, I am still in the process of moving on, much better now.
Why do I love the movie so much? Should be only because of the director. He has lived, given his soul not only to Jaanu & Ram characters but everyone else in the movie, while penning down the script and during the movie making. As many people said, good movies happen no one can plan it. There are so many things that I keep discovering after repeated watching of 96. I just loved the detailing of the movie. The entire team has taken utmost care in continuity, camera work, locations, costumes, casting (school included) and more. The director should have written a back story about the characters apart from what was shown in the movie – like their family backgrounds, Jaanu’s life, what they were doing after, what they were doing in all these years of separation. Otherwise it is difficult to portray or convince the audience about the platonic love of Jaanu & Ram. Music & background score have taken the movie to another level.
- When the students arrive, Ram will be telling them from 9 to 6 it’s a photo session, not to speak with anyone, chatting or WatsApp – This could be an indirect message to audience as well to watch 96 movie without any such diversions
- There will be a black color photo frame in the rear seat - hero and the girl at the driving seat. The same black photo frame is seen on the bedroom wall of the hero’s home, later in the second half of the movie
- The girl's deep looks towards the hero reveal us that she admires him so much but cannot express her feelings to him
- The hero is never cheerful with his students, always serious in the class. But when he is at Thanjavur outskirts, he starts speaking more with his student about the town. After all these days, his original self woke up from a deep slumber once he encountered the places he was born, roamed around when he was a kid, teenager
- Inclusion of 90s actors – Janakraj (school watchman) & Kavithalaya Krishnan - barber (did not know his name but he was a familiar face in many Tamil movies which were dubbed into telugu during 80/90s) was a special touch. As my friend told, the original idea was to make people nostalgic about 90’s again and so they were casted in the movie
- Ram writing Jaanu’s name on the beach after the first song – he is living with the memories of Jaanu wherever he goes, whatever he does, every day, every night
- The moment when Ram gets to know that Jaanu is expected to reach the venue shortly, the background noise and music fades out slowly with his deep breath dominating. On hearing Jaanu’s name, the cosmos around him stops functioning and thoughts of Jaanu fills his mind & heart. Same thing happens with Jaanu. Both travel back to the times of their good old days
- When 2 people anticipate a meeting each other for a long time and finally the moment arrives, there could be coldness/awkwardness to make a conversation initially. Ram cannot look into the eyes of Jaanu – like old days, feeling shy. This scene was beautifully shot with a big display screen in the background as they try to make a conversation. Is the director portraying through the display screen with flickering colors that they are the thoughts in their hearts, dancing all around excitedly, so many thoughts criss crossing and not able to digest this moment? As their friends’ remark, they started from where they have ended in 1996
- All through the movie, there is a track of time – in car, mobiles etc
- There is no lust between them, no physical desires. It is all about love that cannot be explained in words. A small gesture – hands together on the gear rod, Jaanu kissing the paper print of the ticket that Ram has booked, Ram’s look towards Jaanu when the flight is ready for boarding. No words between them. No hugs, no kisses. Just silence, drops of tears, sadness from eyes
- A fraction of second pause from Ram before closing the suitcase – now with Jaanu’s dress
- Ram’s love & care for Jaanu: I would compare it with the love of Lord Krishna & Radha. Ram admires, adores, and worships Jaanu. His love is not a physical one but above all - platonic. As told in Guna movie, “ఇది మనుషులు అర్థం చేస్కునేందుకు మాములు ప్రేమ కాదు.. అగ్ని లాగ స్వచ్చమైనది”. Every small gesture, subtle looks, minor actions show that Ram treats Jaanu as a Goddess, Princess. Samples:
- Ram leaves the table as soon as Jaanu says she did not eat anything inflight. Serves some food on to the plate, wipes the plate clean before handing it to Jaanu. Keeps a napkin and handing over it to Jaanu when she is done. When he is about to eat in the same plate given back by Jaanu, he hesitates for a moment before having a spoonful. He might have thousands of thoughts of what to do when he meets Jaanu again and this could be one among them. This could be one of the moments he waited for all these 22 years.
- Jaanu is left handed. When Ram places the plate for Jaanu, he turns the fork towards her left hand side
- Like a servant, like a devotee, every time, Ram opens & closes the car doors. Wonder if they had married, would he ever let her do any work? Hypothetical question isn’t it?
- Ram is shown as driving out from the airport. Exactly half of the front windshield is filled with a whitish shade at the side where Jaanu was seated previously. Slowly, the entire shade covers the windshield. Is the directory saying that half of Ram’s soul – Jaanu has left again or Jaanu’s thoughts have filled in Ram again? It is all about interpretation.
- Carrying Jaanu’s bag to airport and keeping with him until the check in
I can go on like this, speak about each frame, each scene, explain the details in it, what could have been the director’s perception/conviction on the scene. Blah blah blah.
Some things are best to be felt and not necessarily in words, just like 96..
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Man loves the idea of loving a woman more than how much he loves the woman herself and that's why he loves her more when she's away than when she's with him - Rgv
