Director: Prashant Rasaily
Cast: Saugat Malla, Usha Rajak, Timothy Rai
KATHMANDU, March 24: Gnathang is a remote village in East Sikkim, a perfect location for Kanchha and Kumari’s love story. After the misplaced role of environmentalist turned jungle protector in ‘Chhadke,’ Saugaat Malla is back as Kanchha, the yak herder in Prashant Rasaily’s film. [break]
Usha Rajak plays Kumari, a mute girl who lives with her mother and is very much in love with Kanchha, bringing him food, feeding him and touching his face lovingly every now and then. Though there is only minimal dialogue between the mute girl and the stuttering yak herder, the love is apparent between the two. One of the most beautiful scenes in the film is where they play with the rays of the sun, twirling their hands and fingers and flirting with each other. [break]
The story takes a turn when Kanchha accompanies his friend, Sonam, up in the mountains to herd yaks. With the prospect of earning money and then marrying his Kumari, Kanchha bids farewell to Kumari leaving for many months.
The film addresses the persisting stigma attached to unwed mothers as we see Kumari’s mother abandoning her and the village people cursing and spitting on her. In one poignant scene after another, we watch Kumari steal a dog’s meal and relish it despite stabbing pain in her eyes. A bit later she crawls up a hill to reach the place that’s full of memories of happier times.
As befitting the remote location, there are many frames in the film with only a single person centered in the vast mountain region surrounded by sweeping hills, boulders and a smattering of flowers. Sometimes, they are shrouded in the thick morning mist and at times, we see them walking in the beautiful bright day.
Sikkim’s Timothy Rai as Sonam is endearing. The rotund man is a pleasure to watch and has done his job perfectly.
The film’s only problem could be the ending, in the scene where the audience could be disgruntled to hear the mute girl utter ‘Kanchha.’
Though there were only around 30 people in the theatre, the applause at the end of the film’s screening could signify a success story for the director.
Screening at QFX cinemas
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