‘Karwaan’ is the Millennial Edition of ‘Baghban’

The Irrfan Khan-Mithila Palkar-Dulquer Salman starrer will give you all the family feels – in a millennial package.

A still from Karwaan; with the characters Tanya (Mithila Palkar), Avinash (Dulquer Salman) and Shaukat (Irrfan Khan).

(Photo: The Quint)

Remember Baghban, the saccharine saga that made us snort maata, pita ka pyaar for three hours? Well, Karwaan is its millennial version.

Karwaan is other things too; it is a road movie with a lot of baggage (read two dead bodies), and a rare treat for desis with its wry, eccentric humour. And how could we forget? The brilliant Irrfan Khan!

But at its core, Karwaan is a story of three protagonists seeking solace either in the memory of, or sometimes in the pallu of their real mothers; and simultaneously tackling their respective daddy issues.

In one instance, Tanya (Mithila Palkar) rhetorically asks the other two main characters, Shaukat (Irrfan Khan) and Avinash (Dulquer Salman), “Father waley department mein hum teenon ki life kaafi tragedy hai, na?” Because in some way, all three lives have been affected to varying extents due to the absence of a father figure. While Tanya lost hers to cancer at 8, Shaukat hit his violent father in retaliation to his father having beaten his mother, and was disowned by him for doing so. And Avinash could never quite rebel against his imposing dad who discouraged him from becoming a photographer, and as a result of all that, had a strained relationship with him till the day he died.

The sensitivity with which the movie touches upon unhealthy parental behaviour, and how it can leave an indelible impression on a youngster’s mind – in how the youth perceive themselves and the world around them – is admirable.

While watching the movie, don’t be surprised if you are reminded of someone you know – maybe even you yourself – who has had to deal with a temperamental, imposing father and how it affected them.

But it also effectively moves away from the binary between being this sukhi parivaar and being non-caring. Dulquer’s character demonstrates how despite being distant from his dad because of several issues, he also doesn’t altogether abandon the duty-bound values that are expected of a son.

His dad, too in a letter which Dulquer gets to read after his death, is seen softening his stand against his career choice and admits to not having the courage to approach his son after all those years.

But... sadly, that one letter isn’t enough in breaking the stereotype of the tough, egotistical dad character we have been seeing since forever. Despite all its cool, millennial creds, even this movie has reduced the filmy dad to a tough-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside coconut.

But unlike Baghban which makes us believe that all parents are as flawless as an expensive mineral foundation, and all aulads, unless adopted and super rich, are entitled assh*les, Karwaan has succeeded in offering the desi familial bond a more nuanced perspective.

Of course, the Ma is always maa-rvelous in a Hindi film. And even in this film, a lovely homage is made to her by Tanya’s mother in a monologue while conducting a prayer meeting for her deceased mother.

All things said: The movie definitely made me remember my parents and gave me all the family vibes. And I will certainly call them, telling them how much I love them and all... but only when I wrap up work for the day!