Photo by Uncovering the Unspoken: ‘Pushtaini’ Sheds Light on the Dark Reality of Sexual Exploitation
As I sat down to watch ‘Pushtaini’, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that was about to unfold. This indie film, directed by Vinod Rawat, tackles a topic that our society has yet to come to terms with - the sexual exploitation of boys. It’s a reality that’s often swept under the rug, ignored, or even used as a device to generate humor in mainstream cinema.
The unspoken truth
The film tells the story of Bhupinder, a struggling actor who’s forced to confront his past when he returns to his ancestral land in Uttarakhand. As he navigates through the scenic vistas, the crevices of his past begin to open up, revealing a painful process of ‘casting couch’, a euphemism for sexual favors in exchange for work.
The scenic vistas of Uttarakhand
Bhuppi’s journey is intertwined with that of Dimple, a life coach who’s also seeking answers to questions that have been troubling her since childhood. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, accompanied by Hemant, a taxi driver and Bhuppi’s childhood friend.
The journey of self-discovery
What struck me about ‘Pushtaini’ is its gentle yet gripping narrative that doesn’t seek to thump its chest or beat its drum. Rawat’s direction, production, and co-writing have woven a story that’s both personal and universal. The film touches upon issues of unemployment, migration, and economic hardships in the hills, making people prone to manipulation of different kinds.
The harsh realities of economic hardships
In terms of technique, ‘Pushtaini’ has a beating heart, but the loose ends in writing and acting have not been properly soldered. At times, the rawness in expressing emotions and language works to the film’s advantage, but then there are sequences where low-hanging metaphors are plucked for effect.
The art of storytelling
Despite its flaws, ‘Pushtaini’ is a film that’s better than many decorative products on display in theaters at present. It’s a film that deserves to be seen, to be talked about, and to be shared. One hopes it finds a way through the heartless distribution system that’s skewed towards tentpoles and where ancestral hold on the system still works.
The struggle for indie films
In conclusion, ‘Pushtaini’ is a film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll. It’s a film that will make you uncomfortable, that will make you question the society we live in, and that will make you want to do something about it.
The power of cinema
