Geeli Pucchi (Ajeeb Dastans)

Thought this was the best story out of the 4 in Ajeeb Dastans. I liked how at first it seems it is about forbidden love and yet transcends that space to become more an exploration of human psychology, marginalisation, gender politics and the painful mind games people play with each other.

Bharti is a blue-collar worker who aspires to become a data operator in the same company that she works for, but the job goes to Priya, a fair, upper-middle-class girl from a privileged family. At first, it seems a story of two polar opposites - Bharti who is a Dalit and Priya who belongs to the upper echelons of society. But it's not. Later we come to realise Priya's privilege is also her imprisonment. It is like she is stuck in a cage from which there is no escape, her heart belongs to her old college mate and marriage is just a forced societal sanction which frames her identity but curbs her true desires.

Geeli Pucchi is the story of these two characters and their encounters, would hesitate to call it a love story.

But then maybe all love stories are not about the blossoming of saccharine-sweet feelings. Maybe it is about how power structures can curtail love, and forbidden desires remain just that - forbidden.

For me, the social commentary is savage af. I love how the director paints a picture of how a Dalit is viewed in a Brahminical patriarchal society, and yet never goes overboard with the commentary. It's unflinching, yet subtle and that's amazing!

Lastly, the mind games which Bharti and Priya play with each other are not lovers' tiffs but an inevitable reflection of their different social statuses.

Konkona Sen Sharma is PHENOMENAL. She's so amazing to watch onscreen. It's like she gets into the skin of the character with a heartbreaking sincerity. Aditi Rao Hyderi is good as well in her chirpy, bubbly feminine avatar but when you realise the pain behind her smile, it is a revalation.

This is my review of the third story of Ajeeb dastans- hope you guys liked it. Please share your views/opinions.

I love your review . Yes it was the best one. Great acting by Konkana of course. It captured so many things about caste and queer life in a way that you don't see often. Hits you in the guts in a subdued way. I hope it gets more attention.

I disagree with you though on Priya's character. She's not exactly a victim there. She's a bit of both. She's imprisoned in her own way but she doesn't hesitate to use the privilege caste gives her . While not wanting to acknowledge how she's part of the problem. Priya did to Bharti exactly what her friend from college did to her; the moment it got inconvenient ,she withdrew . The scene where Priya shrinks from Bharti after Bharti reveals her caste ,using the phone call as an excuse is supposed to be symbolic of that. She feels trapped by the conventions of a hetero normative society and relies on Bharti to process that anger and loneliness but she doesn't want to do her part and acknowledge what's happening to Bharti and how she contributes to it. Maybe she doesn't know how to do it and maybe she doesn't want to bother with it or maybe it's a bit of both. And that's what made the movie brilliant ,because that's exactly how it plays out in real life. In the end Bharti let's Priya know she's no better than the friend from college-an opportunist of sorts- and Priya is left with no choice but to let that sink in.

Originally posted by: TrollikaDevi

I love your review . Yes it was the best one. Great acting by Konkana of course. It captured so many things about caste and queer life in a way that you don't see often. Hits you in the guts in a subdued way. I hope it gets more attention.

I disagree with you though on Priya's character. She's not exactly a victim there. She's a bit of both. She's imprisoned in her own way but she doesn't hesitate to use the privilege caste gives her . While not wanting to acknowledge how she's part of the problem. Priya did to Bharti exactly what her friend from college did to her; the moment it got inconvenient ,she withdrew . The scene where Priya shrinks from Bharti after Bharti reveals her caste ,using the phone call as an excuse is supposed to be symbolic of that. She feels trapped by the conventions of a hetero normative society and relies on Bharti to process that anger and loneliness but she doesn't want to do her part and acknowledge what's happening to Bharti and how she contributes to it. Maybe she doesn't know how to do it and maybe she doesn't want to bother with it or maybe it's a bit of both. And that's what made the movie brilliant ,because that's exactly how it plays out in real life. In the end Bharti let's Priya know she's no better than the friend from college-an opportunist of sorts- and Priya is left with no choice but to let that sink in.

Sorry for responding so late but just saw this topic is still open and I can't help saying I loved what u wrote❤️