SHILLONG: Papa, a Khasi movie with a different social message that represents a diversion from the women-based issues will be screened for public viewership on November 28 and 29 at U Soso Tham Auditorium.
The movie was premiered on October 22 at Shillong Club.
The movie has embarked on a less treaded path by portraying issues that few gather courage to address- a man’s struggle, be it in the areas of unemployment , his relationship with his family and friends or the society at large.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Director of the movie Papa, Kitbok Kharmalki said that the movie centers on the injustice and harassment that some Khasi men face which is seldom highlighted to the public eye.
“It is about the life of a man, how on getting married he becomes a stranger to his maternal home. His life may take an ugly turn if he chances upon an adulterous woman,” Kharmalki said.
“Nobody respects an unemployed man even if he is highly qualified but people highly regard an uneducated but rich person,” he added.
On being asked if a man does not have voice in his family, he said, “Yes, maximum of the married men do not have a voice, be it in his immediate family or his maternal home.”
The film opens up with the protagonist in jail who keeps a diary that contains his life story. The diary was found by a curious inmate and the movie reels back to his married life.
The core idea of the film took shape in the performance of a school teacher (played by Joseph Warjri), also a budding writer and the harassment he faced in the hands of his wife (enacted by Regina Lamo) who is engaged in an extra-marital affair with a highly placed suave person (played by Melvin Mukhim).
The link between the estranged husband and wife is their daughter (portrayed by Ya-I-lakmen Warjri). A tug of war ensues as to who should take custody of the child.
The child in the movie is more drawn towards her father, her innocence shines through when she sees her father and mother apart.
Come November 28 and 29 and the movie’s fate will be decided as to whether it is more ‘reel’ or ‘real’. The question of whether the movie will make people ponder on this issue or forget it will be for the people to decide
