Over a thousand films are released every year, but only a handful of them make it out there. And out of these handful, only a few of them truly carry with them the authenticity of the place they originate from and these are the ones that tell a story that stands out from the rest, not because it’s something very unique and out of the world, but because it’s something common yet often overlooked. Raibaar has the potential to be one such film with its central theme highlighting the beauty of forgiveness, not for somebody else’s sake but for your own. Directed by Shishir Uniyal and produced by Bhagat Singh Saini, Balraj Jangra and Parveen Saini, Raibaar is a story that may just make you sit down, take a moment and reflect on why you should forgive. And who needs it more? You or the one seeking it?
Raibaar: An Idea
It all started with a poem by Jeevan Prakash Chamoli, which showcased the resilience and dedication of the postmaster through a beautiful and poetic conversation between a daughter and her father, a postmaster. This poem became the seed that sparked the minds to churn and soon the masters behind Raibaar, Shishir Uniyal, Bhagat Singh Saini, Balraj Jangra and Parveen Saini came up with the characters and storyline that would become the first Uttarakhandi film to be screened in the US.
The idea behind Raibaar is simple: forgiveness. The film highlights how this simple act is often so hard to communicate because of the culture we practice in India, which doesn’t give a space for a father to openly apologise or express his fears without making it look like he is angry or for a son to effectively communicate why he wants to leave his home and put forth his argument without sounding rude for doing so. It brings to light the importance of ending the generational silence cycle with hopes for healthy communication through the story of two pairs of father-son duos.
Making Raibaar A Reality
In order to capture the true essence of Gharwal, the team went ahead of time to spend some time in the local area to understand their mindset and ensure that authenticity was maintained throughout the film. But shooting Raibaar in the beauty of the hills didn’t come without its challenges.
From the topography to the ever-changing altitude of the sun made shooting an uphill battle against time and light. Plus, the added cost of transporting the heavy equipment across the hilly areas, along with the crew falling sick as they struggled to adjust to the new environment, made it even more difficult to finish the shoot. Additionally, the time they started shooting turned out to be the peak season for the char dham yatra (spiritual pilgrimage in Hinduism) and to aid the devotees in their yatra, helicopter services were provided. This made the entire shooting a nightmare as it kept getting interrupted with the sounds of the helicopter every now and then. But it was the determination and passion of the team who would literally wake up at the crack of dawn without an alarm clock and the hospitality of the people at Gharwal that made it all worth it in the end.
It isn’t easy to avoid the traps of cliches when writing a character, but the makers of Raibaar managed to do so by prioritising authenticity and taking inspiration from anywhere and everywhere, not particularly just films. This ensured that the characters were real, authentic and fresh. Certain instances in the film were even taken from the real life of the filmmakers, such as using notes as a medium of communication.
Using simple instruments like the cello and the piano to bring out the depth of the character’s emotion was indeed a genius plan. The filmmakers further ensured that the authenticity of Gharwal is communicated with the incorporation of folk music in the film. The introductory song in the film, which highlights the lament of the mountains as the silent observer, but first time complainant is truly something to keep an ear out for.
The idea of using a simple letter to convey such a heavy meaning of forgiveness highlights the unique mind of the team at work. According to the team, letters have become a novelty that carries a lot of nostalgia for the millennial generation in today’s time. They carry the permanence of words; unlike a text, it can’t be changed once posted. They carry with them the true essence of the phrase that “Time heals wounds”, as the longer it takes to reach someone, the longer it allows for people to reflect, contemplate and understand the importance of forgiveness and who truly needs it.
Lastly, the most important aspect of the making that made this film a true success among the crew was the eternally positive and healthy work environment that the filmmakers ensured was fostered from the beginning “Action” to the last “Cut”. Learning from their own past experiences in different kinds of workplaces, the filmmakers decided that they wished to create a place where they would themselves want to work and hence the mood was never damp and the vibe never toxic at the set of Raibaar.
An instance narrated by the filmmakers cements this claim, one time during shooting when they wrapped up and returned to their resting area, the camera team realised that they have left an equipment in the shoot location and felt anxious to get it back even in the darkness of the night, but the filmmakers prioritised the employees’ well being and told them not to fret and fetch it tomorrow morning as it was too late and dark and probably not safe to go back. Previously, they have been complimented by their previous crew for their work ethic and healthy work environment that prioritises the quality of the work and health of its employees.
Sweet Expectations
After pouring their blood, sweat and tears into Raibaar, all the filmmakers hope for is that the audience is pleasantly surprised by their portrayal of Gharwali cinema. They hope that they can connect it with global cinema and appreciate the nuances in each scene. Praise from prominent actor Manju Bahuguna during the trailer launch does give them hope for positive feedback from the audience. Extremely elated to be the first Uttarakhandi film to be screened in the US, they are truly proud of how they have managed to keep the regional authenticity of the film while ensuring it maintains a global connect.
They hope that with the success of Raibaar, more regional filmmakers will take up the task of working with regional cinema and bringing out fresh perspectives into the world of cinema, where, above all, authenticity is maintained. Raibaar truly captures the spirit of why, sometimes it’s important to leave to value the return journey more and for whom should we forgive?
If you’re looking for something new which still carries a thread of familiarity, give Raibaar a go!
