There are no rainbows without rain. ‘Indreni Khojdai Jada’ explores this intricately by delving into the lives of three siblings stereotyped as “the pragmatist”, “the loser”, and “the dreamer”, from oldest to youngest. It explores their lives together and apart and raises questions on whether one can be happy despite the material inadequacies they feel in their lives.

The film starts with a beautiful shot of the oldest sister gazing out the window, peering into the neighbour’s TV, while her brother and sister call her for dinner. Over the meal, she expresses her frustration about not being able to engage in discussions about popular television soap operas with her friends, as they do not own a TV. Her siblings also voice their own grievances on the matter, discussing the amount of money they’ve saved and whether it is sufficient to purchase a television.

The film cleverly showcases a wishlist the three siblings have affixed to their mirror, consisting of items such as a fridge, a washing machine, and other appliances they aspire to own. The collective aspiration of acquiring a TV binds the character arcs of all three siblings in the film. Despite each harbouring individual dreams of success in the city, they must all navigate their own set of challenges.

The film faithfully portrays the middle-class experience in Kathmandu, with subtle details woven throughout that underscore this reality. Instances such as using newspapers as tablecloths during dinner or the inconvenience caused by having only one bathroom effectively convey the challenges faced by the characters.

A scene where the landlady reprimands them for making noise further highlights the nuances of the middle-class existence. The lack of privacy proves to be a catalyst for conflicts, exacerbated by the tight budget of Rs3,000. The eldest sister, a pragmatist, urges her siblings to spend judiciously and confronts them with the harsh reality of their financial situation. Despite her practical outlook, she grapples with her own issues, particularly a toxic relationship where she is objectified by her partner.

There are moments when she feels deeply uncomfortable due to his sexually suggestive behaviour, yet initially, she hesitates to sever ties due to emotional investment. However, as the film progresses, she gradually embraces her pragmatism, ultimately finding the strength to end the relationship for good.

The middle sibling, struggling in his engineering studies, grapples with the weight of family and societal expectations to the extent of contemplating suicide. The film adopts a somewhat comedic tone as he absurdly researches ‘easy ways to die’ on Google.

However, beneath the comedic facade lies a poignant exploration of the detrimental impact of societal norms and familial pressures on mental well-being. The brother also faces peer pressure to host a gathering for a football match, adding to his stress due to the absence of a TV. This compels him to scour the market for affordable television sets, highlighting the strain caused by societal expectations and the desire to fit in.

The youngest sibling, a dreamer with aspirations of relocating to the USA through a diversity visa, frequently indulges in daydreams about the possibilities of living abroad and attaining wealth. Despite her lofty aspirations, she subtly reassures her siblings during conflicts, hinting that she would resolve their issues without disclosing her visa application, which she wishes to keep as a surprise.

She delicately introduces the topic of her potential absence by posing hypothetical questions about what they would do without her. Additionally, she finds solace in conversing with her houseplant, showcasing her tendency towards maladaptive daydreaming, where her fantasies often overshadow reality. This habit, though a source of comfort, also poses challenges in her life, adding a unique dimension to her character.

The film’s cast effectively captures the essence of youth and urban living. Their portrayals are grounded and relatable, adding depth to the characters and enriching the overall narrative.

While the film showcases some visually appealing shots and promising sequences, the overall poor production quality serves as a significant distraction for viewers. The prevalence of shaky camera work, jarring cuts, and subpar graphic design detracts from the film's potential impact.

Despite being praised for its storytelling, a more thoughtful approach to production and filming could have greatly enhanced its reception. Shot within a month's timeframe, it's possible that allocating additional time to this aspect could have yielded better results. It's worth noting that several low-budget films, such as The Florida Project, have managed to achieve impressive production quality despite limited resources. By prioritising production values, this film might have realised greater success.

The film struggles to effectively convey its message, particularly regarding societal perceptions of female virginity, which can feel muddled at times. While the eldest sister's essay on the subject is a powerful statement, the film falls short of fully articulating the idea that a woman's worth isn't determined by her virginity.

There's a missed opportunity to delve deeper into this theme, as the narrative primarily focuses on the consequences of societal pressure rather than challenging the underlying perceptions themselves. The portrayal of young women losing their virginity as a problem, rather than addressing society's problematic views, further complicates the film's message.

Despite these shortcomings, the film offers a warm depiction of the common struggles faced by middle-class youngsters. It provides closure for its characters as they realise that happiness is attainable despite their challenges and that they can overcome life’s obstacles. The culmination of the siblings finally acquiring a TV serves as a poignant symbol of both the joys and tribulations of life.

Indreni Khojdai Jada

Director: Sahara Sharma

Year:2013

Cast: Deepak Ghimire, Kritika Lamsal

Language: Nepali

Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Available on Youtube