Human relationships are a complex blend of emotions, running parallel with societal strings. It, sometimes, becomes incredibly difficult to navigate our relationships openly due to the importance placed on the sanctity of certain societal actions and institutions. ‘Option’, a short film written and directed by Shilpa Godbole, revolves around this very idea. The film is less of an exploration of a relationship and more of an examination of the attempt to navigate the intricacies of a relationship. Carried beautifully by veteran actors, Mrunal Kulkarni and Sunil Barve, ‘Option’ is an important movie, not because of what it captures, but because of what it tries to say.
Following the characters of Aniket and Priya, a couple well into their married life, ‘Option’ builds on the immense sanctity that we, as an Indian society, place on the institution of marriage, the utter finality of it. Aniket and Priya have been living separately for years now, their son, now a young adult, living on his own in the United States. After twenty years of marriage, their own personal differences proved too much for them to inhabit the same space. Yet, they do not seek divorce. No. That would be going against the ingrained values that they have come to believe in. Instead, they live separate lives, with Aniket pursuing his passion for floriculture and Priya engrossed in her own passion for singing. For all intents and purposes, to the outside world, they are still a married couple with a son.
The film captures the day Priya goes to meet Aniket, intending to discuss the sale of a property that they own. A property in which they had intended to spend their 50th wedding anniversary. What follows is the dissection of a marriage and an examination of the convoluted issues we, sometimes, face in our relationships.
Shilpa Godbole, through ‘Option’, does not mean to discuss the futility of holding marriage on a pedestal. That is not her intention. Instead, she means to look at it through a neutral lens, not placing any emphasis on its ability to be a binding agent in society but really examining it for its ability to build something. Sunil Barve and Mrunal Kulkarni do an excellent job of portraying a couple at odds with each other, but really trying their best to hold on to what they built together. There are jabs, references to past habits and a general frustration, with what the other person is blind to, that comes through in their dialogue and expressions. It is, indeed, a powerful film, one built on the idea of capturing real people with real problems. And, in all the ensuing bleary reality, Godbole, Barve and Kulkarni manage to instill a tiny ray of hope and happiness.
The film, truly, builds on the concept of imperfection and flaws that live within us all. And, yet, despite it all, we choose who we choose and we make it work. It is worth watching for that simple thought alone.
