Na Bole Wo Haram review: Short film shows how adults do everything for their own convenience

Nitish Vivek Patankar's Na Bole Wo Haram cleverly uses its young protagonists to make a comment on how we adults twist everything to our convenience.

The film opens with a bunch of schoolboys fighting in class. When their teacher (Amar Gaikwad) enters, he breaks up the fight, not before sarcastically adding that it’s a good time for them to pick up swords and knives, and just kill each other. The dialogue would have been irresponsible and crass advice to give impressionable minds. But the manner in which it is delivered eases the situation and also sets the tone for the film.

Pashya (Aadesh Sawantrao) and Aseem (Raghav Vartak) are neighbours and good school friends. Pashya’s father is a Hindu priest, while Aseem is the son of a Muslim butcher. During the Sea Festival in the village celebrated to ward off sea monsters, Pashya sees his father sacrificing a lamb. He wonders why his father prayed before slaughtering the helpless animal.

Aseem also observes that his father also utters prayers before cutting a chicken.

Intrigued by this act, the boys set out to find if prayers condone the act of murder. As they look for guidance from Aseem’s older brother, they are convinced that as long as you pray, every sin is forgiven.

For hereon, they set out to innocently make mischief as a team. When one steals fruits and exam papers, the other prays. When one rings the school bell ahead of the scheduled time, the other joins hands to ask for forgiveness. Until one day, their innocence is left far behind and they cross all limits.

Patankar and Aditya Bhagat’s screenplay is easy and light. They handle the subject efficiently by adding a humour quotient through quirky dialogues. The young actors execute their script with confidence, adding their own bit to make it an enjoyable short film. The principal’s character is a mature one who tries to understand the kids and what goes on in their minds.

Humans turn everything to their advantage and convenience and the strength of Na Bole Wo Haram is how subtly the makers highlight this message.

Na Bole Wo Haram was screened during the International Film Festival of India 2018, held in Panaji, Goa.