Watched the episodes of "Modern Love Mumbai" in order of IMDb ratings (highest to lowest, with the exception of the last episode obviously) and found this one to be quite poorly rated with respect to its content. Even though the performances weren't up to the mark and clichés in the narrative could've been avoided, the story and the underlying emotions did move me.
Dilbar is too complex a character to be taken as lightly as she's been portrayed on screen. She's got so much going on inside her! She ended her marriage in her forties, fell for another man thus breaking social constructs, then lost him in a car accident she blames herself for. Yet she's strong in her sixties and tries to be social, but is conflicted about attending a reunion partly because of her own demons and partly because she feels she hasn't achieved anything in life worth celebrating in a reunion with her successful batchmates.
Along comes Kunal (her...student?) with an erotic drawing of her, telling her how he feels about her and that he fantasizes about having sex with her. She tells him off of course, but can't help wondering if it was her who led him on. Even with an "inappropriate advance" dropping out of the blue, Dilbar's initial reaction speaks volumes about her. And then the drawing sparks a flame inside her and intercut shots of Kunal practising for his marathon suggests her own attempt at fantasizing about him. She decides to speak to him about it, but drops that idea. Kunal grapples with his feelings while under pressure of finding a job. He destroys his drawings of her, thus getting over her in his head but the hurt still remains.
Dilbar slowly finds herself again and comes to terms with her grief and guilt. She gets rid of the rusty car in which her lover Iqbal died and throws away his last worn clothes and wallet. She finally comes clean with Kunal, telling him of her reciprocative fantasy, but makes it clear that that's where it ends. This closure turns out to be enough to give Kunal the push he needed to take light, pursue his interests and socialize again. Dilbar looks more beautiful than ever as she attends her reunion, partying with her old friends, living life again. She acknowledges her "wrinkles" and chooses to wear them like battle scars (like her actual scar from the accident), only to make her stronger.
Yes, I'm aware that this looks more like a synopsis than a review, but Dilbar and her story is all the review the episode really needs.
Dilbar is too complex a character to be taken as lightly as she's been portrayed on screen. She's got so much going on inside her! She ended her marriage in her forties, fell for another man thus breaking social constructs, then lost him in a car accident she blames herself for. Yet she's strong in her sixties and tries to be social, but is conflicted about attending a reunion partly because of her own demons and partly because she feels she hasn't achieved anything in life worth celebrating in a reunion with her successful batchmates.
Along comes Kunal (her...student?) with an erotic drawing of her, telling her how he feels about her and that he fantasizes about having sex with her. She tells him off of course, but can't help wondering if it was her who led him on. Even with an "inappropriate advance" dropping out of the blue, Dilbar's initial reaction speaks volumes about her. And then the drawing sparks a flame inside her and intercut shots of Kunal practising for his marathon suggests her own attempt at fantasizing about him. She decides to speak to him about it, but drops that idea. Kunal grapples with his feelings while under pressure of finding a job. He destroys his drawings of her, thus getting over her in his head but the hurt still remains.
Dilbar slowly finds herself again and comes to terms with her grief and guilt. She gets rid of the rusty car in which her lover Iqbal died and throws away his last worn clothes and wallet. She finally comes clean with Kunal, telling him of her reciprocative fantasy, but makes it clear that that's where it ends. This closure turns out to be enough to give Kunal the push he needed to take light, pursue his interests and socialize again. Dilbar looks more beautiful than ever as she attends her reunion, partying with her old friends, living life again. She acknowledges her "wrinkles" and chooses to wear them like battle scars (like her actual scar from the accident), only to make her stronger.
Yes, I'm aware that this looks more like a synopsis than a review, but Dilbar and her story is all the review the episode really needs.