It is very hard to keep someone glued to the screen for 1 hour and 54 minutes. If a film can do that, that itself is an achievement in the era of Distraction.
The plot is taut. The acting is superb. The characters are well drawn out - both in the writing and in the acting.
The editing is good, though some scenes are forwardable.
How the story unfolds - a simple school teacher has fun at a pub and her video goes viral. The viral video has familiar consequences - the school's parents want the school to oust her, the principal is concerned about the reputation of the school, the parents are concerned about their own reputation, and the fiancé is busy getting the video deleted all over the internet.
No one spares a thought for what the girl must be going through.
In any other profession, a night out at the bar would be filed under "Dear Vodka, you were supposed to make me smart, witty, and irresistible. I just saw the videos of that night, and we need to talk."
But not if it's a teacher. I am personally aware of several incidents where teachers lost their jobs for dancing at a private birthday celebration, inside the class with kids, et al. So, the film is not entirely a work of fiction. Teachers really are victimised exactly like this. But after that, the teacher, presumably, commits suicide.
A suicide note is found, but no body.
The entire film revolves around finding Sajini Shinde - the teacher who was fired after pressure from the parents, who left a suicide note, and then vanished.
A good story entertains, but also teaches.
At the end of the film. perhaps, every member of the audience should ask themselves - what if I was one of the parents? Would i defend a teacher's right to party in her personal space?
What if I was the principal? Would i fire a staff member for the "reputation" of the institution?
If the film helps you introspect, then it has succeeded. If not, watch it again. Then think of all the teachers who got fired. The mother who recently committed suicide. Think of everyone you have hurt behind that impermeable veil of internet anonymity and/or internet led inaccessibility.
And if, in the rare case that you look inside your activity history and find nothing, then, smile. In genuine accomplishment.
On the internet, we all have the cloak of invisibility. If we have not used it to hurt someone, then, undoubtedly, that is the mark of a good heart.
