I keep thinking – when is it “enough” for certain things. For example, can you ever retire because you have enough money? Or can you ever have enough love or chocolate? Some things are just too good to deny. Wait… is it true? No it can’t be. Kids are good too, but don’t you feel you’ve had enough with the first one? And if you have two, you are probably thinking … “God is there a return offer on either one?”Well, I used to think in the same lines as you. But things changed one day after I saw the movie “Abhiyum Naanum”.
The movie is about a dad who recalls the relationship with his daughter Abhi(Trisha) from birth until her wedding. Abhi is the name of our unborn daughter. It’s a name that I have rehearsed several times while I was expecting.
The story is a mix of ‘Father of the bride’ and ‘Meet the parents’ but it is nice to see an Indian movie that highlights a daughter’s relationship. 90% of the Tamil movies I see are aimed at showing why a mother is blessed to have a son (who is probably a rowdy hero!). And almost all the mega serials show the burdens and miseries in the lives of parents of daughters. This film was a change… every scene – screen by screen says one message - “daughters too can bring happiness into life”.
The dad goes through a separation anxiety when Abhi goes to school for the first time. He is worried when she goes to school independently in a bicycle. He is torn apart when his Abhi moves to Delhi for her college. He loses his sleep when she says that she is going to marry the sardarji. He feels dethroned when his son in-law gets all the attention. You might ask if the daughter is really bringing in any happiness. But amidst all the pains, at every stage the father is more proud of his daughter than ever.
At the end of the movie you will want to go through all the emotions and pains of raising a daughter. As Abhi’s marriage gets closer, the dad starts to think of his own marriage. He realizes how much Anu’s parents must have missed her when they got married. Yes; Anu is the practical mother of Abhi (oh wait, is that me?) At every stage Abhi has taught him some great family values & respect for individuality indirectly. She has given him a whole new perspective of life.
On the way back home, I kept thinking of how much children transform our lives. Their spontaneous innocent reactions to certain situations teach us humanity, honesty, simplicity, love & trust.
When I got home, I saw my 2 boys sleeping peacefully. Kids are best when they are sound asleep. They symbolize love, purity & a divine peace. It’s like 3.00 a.m. I lie down beside my son, close my eyes and visualize the scenic hills in Ooty where the movie was filmed. I picture myself on a cool, calm hilltop. I am watching Abhi as she picks flowers from the flower bed. She flutters in the breeze and sings with the birds.
Suddenly it gets dark & cloudy. And then I hear a loud thunder; there is a sharp lightning. I am calling out “Abhi, Abhi..’ but my words are lost in the loud roaring winds. I run towards her. A huge rock rolling down from the top of the mountain hits me and I fall down unconsciously.
I try hard to open my eyes. The sun is shining brightly. I see my two boys fighting for a toy gun creating the thundering effect. My eyes are closing; I wish I can catch another hour of sleep. I call out to my husband to resolve the boys fight but receive a deep snoring reply. Unwillingly, I wake up to pull the boys apart.
I think of the previous night and say to myself “Maybe Abhi is only an angel in my dreams…”. In the end however it is a beautiful movie that leaves you feeling like you have read some nice poetry.
