A film that was beyond the compulsion of logic and entertainment. It came from the space that is still being dictated by the heart. An experience that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Some quarantine ramblings on @ShoojitSircar's #October.

The initial few shots of the picture introduce us to its world so that we would get used to it. I guess Delhi is a part of Shoojit Sahab's cinematic universe, all of his films were placed there. There's some exquisite charm the city has in its core. Piku made me visit Delhi.

The protagonist Dan is introduced as an irritable odd one out among the sincere batch. He doesn't even bother to react when Shuili greets him. He is in his own space, detached from the customs.

The initial adventures of the character Dan (Varun Dhawan) don't even give a remote hint of how sympathetic he is within. Perhaps, it is the time to use the cliched trope "Don't judge a book it's cover."

Shuili is distinctly opposite to Dan. There is so much delicacy in her character. She is almost flawless in the tasks she's given. There's the pure tranquil sense when she picks up the Jasmine flowers from the garden, & glory to the gorgeous theme played on the background.

This scene also vividly implies who distinctive Dan and Shiuli are from each other. Though he knows what he has done, Dan doesn't show the remote emotion of guilt or regret. Shiuli perhaps knows him better, & she accepts it. Or perhaps, that's the nature of her. "Acceptance."

All Dan does is being extremely irritated, and Shiuli is the other way around, accepting everything with silence. In a way, this is the most unique premise of a "romantic" film, not that it is less intriguing.

"Where is Dan?" - How to express this term? This scene was rather shocking when I watching it in the theater. I never foresaw such a storm, during the lull (of absolute tranquility). The scene was s sharp, & persuasive. Exceptionally cut, and kudos to the art/makeup.

The hospital is the most traumatic space that one would ever wish to be in. I don't know how would agree to this, but the operation theater, clearing the blood clots, drilling the skull, perhaps, this lucidity is what has made the film look extremely personal and special.

Though, casting is the factor that is not given much of regard in the film appreciation circle. I think Shoojit Sircar was always perfect with casting. All his films offered some genuinely good and refreshing performances. Gitanjali Rao added much finesse to October.

Dan, reluctantly (presumably) goes to visit Shiuli (who is in the ICU). The way he notices things and describes them to his friend shows how the incident has affected him at the surface level.

Shoojit once said, " Perhaps, Dan's is selfless motherly compassion towards Shiuli.." I observed this nuance where Dan gets out of the sleep midnight thinking of Shiuli and the scene quickly cuts to her mother, who is staying in the hospital, almost facing the same emotion.

While reading the script of October, I was excited to read this particular scene where Dan comes to know Shiuli's last words were about himself. The way immediately gets into the top floor and imagines the accident reveals that Shiuli is no more a mere colleague to him.

This is such a beautiful expression. Some questions that arise in us are totally unexplainable and most of the answers we get from others are inconvincible.

This scene where Dan tries to explain his absence of Shiuli is one of its kind. He unknowingly bears a pang of guilt for not being there when Shiuli meets with the accident. He feels a sense of relief, after that. Not that he is out of the confusion.

Dan who gets irritation practically because of everything becomes extremely tolerant and hopeful. Still, I'm unsure of what is the emotion actually he has over Shiuli. But, who seeks for logic if the emotion has already become an acquaintance with the heart.

The way Dan warns the hospital staff not to stare at the patients, showing empathy towards the sweepers, and having a conversation with random people. This is a form of orientation, isn't it? Hospitals have thick walls and frail hearts in between.

By getting accustomed to the environment of the hospital and to the commotion within. He becomes only hopeful. The way he defends Shiuli's family who is exhausted knowing the fact of Shiuli just having a stroke is nearly profound.

This is another delightful moment, where Dan picks up the
flowers and take them and places them around Shiuli's bed.

Another simple scene which rather not very novel. Again, very little music, unlike the usual drama thing. Simple dialogue, & shot making. Something that could be absorbed. :)

Actually, we don't know whether Shiuli remembers Dan. But, Dan's childlike persistence and demeanor convince himself that he has got all the answers that he was seeking. A lovely episode this was!!

Dan gets disengaged from their friends, for not being responsible enough. He feels a bit for it, but never regrets it at the point, or bothers much after that. He is dedicated to Shiuli.

Dan is not out of expectations. It is evident when Shiuli gets wheeled to the private ward, he sees her siblings have stuck many memorable photographs around the wall. Dan gets printed passport images and places them right in front of Shiuli so that he will be remembered always.

Dan going to the Himalayan resort as ordered by Vidya (Shiuli's mom). As beautifully narrated in the script of October, "For Dan, his obedience to Vidya in a way is his absolute surrender to Shiuli." And these intercut of melancholy and distress of both of them missing each other

This scene testifies that both of them are deeply in love. The way she teases her and both of their eyes being tear-filled. Pure romance is the word I should use here, I suppose.

This scene and the score describes what "unconditional love" means to me. The bond they share is pure, it doesn't involve much of expectation. It is complete, that is it.

Dan questions Shiuli that "Why did you ask Where is Dan that day?. Shiuli replies Dan. Though he doesn't get any verbal answer from her. In the next scene where he puts off her to bed, she only stares at him. Like he means the world to her.

I was not hoping for this end when I was watching the film on its very first day. It did break my heart in a way. The quietness of the movie is intense, to be frank. Sometimes, silence is what affects you the most. Ironically, this was serene as well.

Shiuli is like the flower which blooms in a certain season, for a very short while. Their very purpose is to spread some good and leave as soon as their work gets done. I liked the way this scene was described in the script.

Perhaps, Shiuli made Dan advance from the stage of being irritable and unstable. With the experience with Shiuli's love, he had attained composure.

Climax, Dan has a Shiuli plant. How to explain this? October is personal, chap. It is simple, offers not much of logic, it is not larger than life or something. It speaks its heart plainly without much of compromises. I loved writing about it. I guess I made some sense, at least.

Visual Appreciation Tweet.
Cinematography - Avik Mukhopadhyay.

END.