8 A.M. Metro

 

Love, friendship, identity and poetry

This afternoon, I was just randomly scrolling through YouTube and I found this movie. The name itself was intriguing to me. I thought of all the instances when I dreamt of catching the 8 am metro to arrive on time at college, but sadly could never. I am an incorrigible late comer perhaps...perhaps! 

 8 AM metro is a 2023 film starring Gulshan Devaiah (Pritam) and Saiyami Kher (Irawati). It is about how these two characters develop a platonic love for eachother. Initially I was expecting it to be a love story but it wasn't exactly that. It reminded me of English Vinglish, and later the lunch box. But the ending made it stand out. Now that  I am brooding more about it I realise the entire plot was so beautifully crafted. The simplicity and realistic portrayal made it look so comforting and aesthetically pleasing.

Irawati was a home maker who had past childhood trauma which resulted in episodes of panic attack when she travelled alone. Comforted by Pritam, she overcame her fears. The conversations and togetherness enabled them both to become vulnerable and sensitive to one another. Neither of them was seeking a romantic connection yet the platonic love blossoms into something  uniquely beautiful. 

Poetry forms a crucial aspect of the plot line. Irawati's poetry specially the ones which talked of loneliness and fears resonated deeply with Pritam. His bookish intellect fascinated her and the references to literature and different cultures were interesting. The conversation between them which at times became monologues reflect how bottled both of them were. In just two weeks they unknowingly heal eachother.  

Pritam who seemed to be a perfect guy, has his own flaws. I could have never imagined that his seemingly perfect world was just a way of escape for him. He was struggling with depression. And it was then he met Irawati. She became a saviour for him. It was as if she gave a second life to him. But not romantically. He created an alternative world of how he wanted to amend what he did wrong when his wife and children were alive. 

The quest of overcoming fears and searching for identity feels very empowering. What's more important is how issues of mental health - depression,anxiety and suicidal tendencies are  addressed. One scene where Irawati asks him to think he is her and she is the society reveals how harsh we can be to ourselves.The root cause of suffering was they couldn't fathom the strength to just accept their traumas and let them go. But once they did, that was when they truly started living. 

The last few word from pritam's "train vali mohtarma" are heartwarming. Sharing the Kafka and lost doll story  which ties everything so well at the end. Sometimes comforting lies can be life changing!

Asmita

March'25