Introduction –
Human bonds, especially biological relationships demand a different set of commitment, of loyalty, of love and care. The once cherished human ties are today considered a burden, and a liability. Adheen rips off the belief that family bonds can withstand changing times, that love and caring will reign supreme.
Synopsis –
Adheen, which means dependency, opens up to a kitchen scene where Rajendra ( Sanjay Mishra ) is preparing Kheer. The house looks run down from every angle, walls dilapidated, crooked frames and cobweb infested artifacts enhance that sense of neglect. The house surely looks like it’s not been looked after. This is what the story is about – complete abandonment by the children.
Rajendra is anticipating his adult daughter Meera ( Anupriya Goenka ) and son Vir ( Neeraj Pardeep Purohit ) to walk in any moment. Minutes later the two step inside the house. The first salvo of angst is fired by the siblings when they accuse their father of feigning illness. Rajendra clarifies. He says had he not faked illness the two would have never visited him. He then offers them Kheer and asks them to sit down as he has something important to discuss.
Before he can begin, the brother-sister duo hurls allegations and accusations at each other. Rajendra forces them into silence and then reveals his state … that he’s tired of taking care of their terminally ill mother. He also says that he’s penniless and therefore has decided to walk away from everything and everyone. Meera and Vir are stunned.
Rajendra smiles and continues. He says he’s sold the house because of financial liabilities and now the time is come for Meera and Vir to take care of their mother. When Meera and Vir fail to respond, he offers another shocking revelation. He tells them that he’s poisoned their mother and if they want they can save her because he’s got the antidote. He sets the bottle on the sideboard and asks them to hurry up as they have just a couple of hours left.
Analysis –
The film weaves a complex tapestry of human psychology using verbal duals, accusations, lesbianism, parental control, relationship frustrations and selfishness.
Sanjay Mishra has once again delivered an electric performance. No wonder he’s called the master of “performing arts”. Anupriya Goenka and Neeraj Pardeep Purohit too have enacted their roles beautifully, especially their verbal dual which looked absolutely natural, just like true siblings would indulge in. Shot compositions are impressive while the direction is right up in the block. The song at the end is a not just an ode to the film, it is also a tribute to the waning importance of pure relationships.
2020 Yash Verma Neeraj Pardeep Purohit & Pururava Rao 22 Minutes Lionsgateplay | Hotstar | YouTube | Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films