After all the raving I read, finally saw Paglait on Netflix. Left me unmoved. I had zero interest in the story arc of any character and was invested in absolutely no one and nothing. Much like the protagonist’s lack of grief. I tried hard to evoke some emotion (I am very emotional when watching films: I laugh, cry, shout, clench my fist, curse, encourage the hero, abuse the villain, and become so engrossed as if it were all happening to me or someone I love). But nothing. I was sitting there waiting for it to finish. That was literally the only way I empathised with the protagonist in the film: a complete lack of reaction and disconnectedness with the goings-on without being able to explain why it hasn’t touched me like other normal people. The one thought I had at the end of it was: Why did they make the film?
Perhaps something’s wrong with me. Or maybe the movie wasn’t really that great. The former seems more likely, given how much people I love and respect have liked this movie. I had similar feelings for Thappad, and I didn’t know whether to voice them at the risk of people I care about thinking I disagreed with the larger point being made by the film.
Whatever it is, I am thankful for my stars that steered me clear of a career in show business. I’d have been a disaster. I now acknowledge that I know nothing of storytelling or filmmaking.
