To fully enjoy a movie, I must either turn off my critical self or ignore minor errors and shortcomings. ‘Rangi’ is one of such films. It felt emotionally beautiful, but only because I chose to put my analytical side on hold.

Directed by Suresh Neupane, ‘Rangi’ tells the story of a six-year-old girl, Kavya (Aayushi Dhakal), and her single father, Pawan (Salon Basnet), as they navigate life’s hardships together.

The movie revolves around Pawan’s transformation after realising the depth of his daughter’s unconditional love. Once a careless and irresponsible father, Pawan finds the strength to change and works tirelessly to build a better future for Kavya. However, his journey is not without obstacles, and despite the challenges they face, the duo’s resilience and love for each other ultimately shine through.

The film opens with a sad scene where Kavya desperately searches for food in her home. Finding nothing, she settles for a handful of sugar to ease her hunger.

Her father, frequently drunk, neglects his responsibilities. Kavya has no choice but to fend for herself. Watching a young child grow up in such neglect is heartbreaking. While the film does an excellent job of evoking emotions, it lacks depth in character development.

There is little explanation of how or why Pawan became a reckless drunkard. The film fails to adequately explore his past struggles, grief, or emotional turmoil.

This lack of backstory feels like a missed opportunity for deeper characterisation, which could have made his eventual transformation more compelling. Moreover, one of the biggest narrative flaws is how Pawan’s character undergoes a sudden and unrealistic transformation. After fainting due to weakness, he wakes up (in a hospital) and, almost instantly, decides to change his entire life.

In moments, he becomes a responsible father, secures a job, enrols Kavya in school and provides for her. While the message is inspiring, the abruptness of this shift feels unnatural—real-life change is rarely that instantaneous. I understand that life events can be unrealistic in films. However, the director could have depicted the life story in a way that connected the audience to the characters.

Another aspect that takes away from the film’s authenticity is its overt product placements. The film frequently showcases Foodmandu, a school, and a skincare brand. This depiction feels more like a marketing strategy than a natural integration into the storyline. An obvious example is Dipali (Namrata Shrestha), who works as a beautician and subtly promotes skincare brands. While it’s a clever advertising move, it sometimes detracts from the film’s emotional weight.

A particularly confusing scene involves Kavya preparing for a poetry competition. Having had no formal education until the age of six, she is suddenly shown reading and understanding the works of Bhanubhakta Acharya, a renowned poet, and even composing her poetry. This leap in her abilities feels highly unrealistic and takes away from the otherwise heartfelt nature of the film.

However, despite its narrative flaws, ‘Rangi’ still manages to be an emotionally engaging film. Several heartwarming moments make it worth watching. Kavya’s joy when her father finally cooks for her, the excitement in her eyes when he brings home a pizza, and her happiness at enrolling in school are some of the film’s most touching highlights. Her innocent naivety and her faith in her father add an endearing quality to the story.

Watching the movie will certainly make you appreciate the little things in life, such as quality time with your parents, the joy of being with your friends, the excitement of receiving a bonus in your salary and the satisfaction of eating masu bhat. It will evoke the feeling of gratefulness for the unnoticed blessings in your life.

Beyond its emotional appeal, ‘Rangi’ also attempts to depict the struggles of lower-middle-class families. Through Pawan’s character, the film highlights how, despite working hard, lower-middle-class people struggle to achieve financial stability and climb the so-called ‘ladder of success’. It also subtly conveys that money alone cannot buy happiness and that true wealth lies in love, relationships, and family well-being.

Additionally, the movie attempts to incorporate contemporary topics such as TikTok addiction and mental health issues in its narrative. That's a noteworthy addition.

Talking about the performances, it is up to the mark. Although a debutante, Shrestha’s acting looks natural. Basnet’s performance is phenomenal. Most importantly, I was in awe of the child actor Dhakal’s acting.

While ‘Rangi’ has its share of shortcomings, mainly unrealistic character development and excessive brand promotions, it is still a touching film with intense emotional moments.

This movie is a decent watch choice, provided one is willing to overlook its flaws and simply enjoy the heartfelt journey of a father and daughter rediscovering love, resilience, and hope.

Rangi

Director: Suresh Neupane

Cast: Salon Basnet, Aayushi Dhakal, Namrata Shrestha

Duration: 139 minutes

Year: 2025

Language: Nepali