Cast: Ishaan Khatter, Malavika Mohanan

Direction: Majid Majidi

Producer: Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, Zee Studios, Sujay Kutty

Writer: Majid Majidi

Genre: Drama / Family

Duration:120 Mins

Majid Majidi, the Iranian director is known for his sentimental and emotional films. This might not be his best movie but it’s definitely a crowd pleaser. Beyond the Clouds is his first venture into the Indian cinema space. The movie delves into the dark underbelly of the silent surviving drug and human trafficking spaces in Mumbai. The filmmaker gives us a taste of the part of Mumbai and its people that we all know exist but choose to ignore. Debutant Ishaan Khattar and Malvika Mohanan shine bright in this gritty family drama.

Everyone knows that Mumbai still hasn’t gotten over its drug problem. MDMA and other such substances still make their way to the streets by hook or crook. This film dives deep into the ways these drugs are distributed via the youth. The movie is about one such peddler named Amir. Things go south when Amir hides from the police with his estranged sister Tara (Malvika Mohanan). She ends up in jail for attempted murder of her rapist (Goutam Ghose) and Amir finds himself desperately trying to save her by taking care of her rapist and his family hoping that her rapist will eventually regain his voice and exonerate his sister from all charges. I know, it sounds intense and I bet that’s what the director was hoping for. The movie sheds life on the rape culture in our country, the different facets of family and what it means to be in one. The movie also elaborates on the holes and cracks in our criminal justice system. Everything packaged into one realistic and gritty tale.

The director gives us a mirror image of the trials and tribulations the people in Mumbai have to face, specifically the underprivileged. It also makes us realize the importance of family and the goodness that resides in people no matter how bad they might seem on the outside. Majidi gets the little things right, and that’s what makes this story an interesting albeit emotional one. I’ll admit it’s not for everyone and it’s clearly not a summer tent pole blockbuster. It’s a small indie movie that deals with the dynamics of flawed relationships and just everyday people. In a country as diverse as India, family is something that everyone relates to. The performances of each actor, including the children are spectacular. There was never a moment when I thought they went too far. Kudos to the leads, they really elevated the movie.

Majid Majidi delivers a Hindi movie that I’ve longed to see for a long time. Since I’m born and brought up in Mumbai, it seemed familiar yet unique. I believe he captured the essence of Mumbai perfectly. It’s like every wide shot is a reminder that this story is not about the rich. This movie is packed with social and cultural implication and it was an absolute pleasure to watch. If you are looking for a heartfelt and moving story this week, do yourself a favor and check this movie out.