The inaugural session of ‘ReelTalk Wednesdays’ – the newly formed film club by VVC kick started with screening of the film ‘Taangh’ by Bani Singh. The film was screened at Aravalli Auditorium, Kalyan Kendra to a packed house.
The film traces Bani’s journey from Delhi and Kolkata to Mumbai and finally Lahore to connect with her father’s old friends on both sides of the border — hockey mates who went from being in the same team before Partition to arch rivals as their land got split into India and Pakistan. It’s a poignant tale of human bonding and emotions -love, loss, and longing. The emotions have been beautifully captured in a 90 minutes documentary.
The film has already won awards for the best documentary at the 2022 New York Indian Film Festival and best film at Film South Asia 2022, Kathmandu.
The screening of the film was followed by a lively discussion on the film. Excerpts of the views expressed are reproduced below:
Anil Kaul: Highly sensitive and beautifully created. There was pin drop silence throughout the one and half hour show. The back-drop of the partition and the narrative of three close friends across the border brought tears to one’s eyes. The film left me numb for the rest of the evening. A great start to many more movies.
The exhibition of our VV painters was a great idea. Keep it up. God bless you.
Suman Sadna: A very nice movie which I am sure touched an empathetic cord in many hearts today. My family was from Rawalpindi and I sure many of the audience must be having roots in the present-day Pakistan. I related very well to the mixture of the languages used. I am sure our elders do miss the camaraderie shared with their friends across the border which was very nicely portrayed in the movie. Hoping to see more such movies.
Mala Malhotra: Absolutely wonderful movie. Touched a deep cord. A very good start to ReelTalk. Looking forward to many more evenings.
Jagmit: Really nice movie!!
The love of a daughter for her father!! The kind of effort she made. The time and money spent…Congratulations Bani!!
The horrid sordid partition.
And a repeat in 1984.
The vile things that men can do!!
The crazy way of division.
Shows the other contempt and disregard for the natives by the British..hardly civil I would say!!
The wonderful emotions and friendships of the players!!
The love and guts that Shahrukh showed saving Hindu and Sikh lives at the cost of personal risk!!
The love for Lahore..
My father used to rave about Lahore..
The fight and spirit of Nandy!! (Bani’s father)
His bond of friendship with his close friend.
Nostalgia!
Winning gold medal at the Olympics..
Playing in England and thrashing them in the finals!!
The unfurling of the Indian flag flying high!!
Starting life anew leaving their home..
The true story was so emotional!!
Wonderful movie..so well made!!
Thank you Sanjana and team..
Thank you Film Club..
How well organized..
Excellent Chai..
Fabulous paintings from the beautiful women of our colony.
Popcorn. Keychain. personalized!!
Just superb organizational skills!!
My eyes got wet too.
Excellent filming and audio..that too from a non film maker!!
Simply Awesome!!
A wonderful enjoyable experience..made all the more wonderful sitting with family and friends and meeting fellow residents!!
Thank you all who made this possible!!
Reena: The movie was wonderful and very emotional…the emotions depicted on faces of the 90 year olds was very touching .. especially loved the bond of friendship which as Shahrukh said was in the heart regardless of partition and 2 separate “enemy” countries!!
Achala Kaul: A wonderful choice, a heart-warming film. A great start to the film club.
Raminder Ahuja: Beautiful movie
Jayshree (Chinchu): Loved the film and the sentiments it displayed.
Shivani Chakravarti: Good choice for the first film. After the moving nostalgia, we can move into the present and maybe—the future?!
Jasleen Kaur: Thanks for this movie treat. Sentimental, poignant, great natural performances by the hockey stalwarts
Nyamat: Fantastic choice of a film!!
Vineeta Bhardwaj: Very well curetted
Pamela: Learnt that world can divide
Nation can divide
But it can’t decide our hearts and love for each other
Vidhu Verma: Beautifully made film – really touched a chord for all of us whose parents came from that side….
On the occasion, paintings of young artists of Vasant Vihar were also at display. People liked the paintings and many of them even got sold.
Thanks to Sanjana Raj and Anchal Kapur of Kriti Film Club for making the event a great success.
