Raahgir review: Adil Hussain, Tillotama Shome shine in this touching story of human empathy

"We do not die that easily. It takes time." The line, delivered with a wry smile by Adil Hussain's Lakhua, defines the survivalist ethos in which Goutam Ghose's Raahgir is constructed. A simple, visually rich tale, the story captures the empathy and basic humanity that continues to help the most impoverished of this country survive despite the apathy of the more privileged.

From the first scene of Nathuni (Tillotama Shome) assaulted on the way back home in the middle of the forest by two men on a bike, we know this is not an easy road for her. Whether she survives the assault is left up in the air by Ghose. She returns home to feed her son and daughter, and her paralysed husband Brahma (Omkar Das Manikpuri). 

"Is anything ever all right in a poor man's home?" she asks when her husband asks about her day. This changes when she sets out on a journey to town the next day.

The lonely path sees her come across the wandering Lakhpati 'Lakhua' (Hussain). A dancer, acrobat, vagabond and ocassional mechanic, Lakhua is a kind-hearted blabbermouth. The two bicker and make peace as they find their way past the stark jungles towards the town. Along the way they find a desperate Chopatlal (Neeraj Kabi), trying to get his motorcycle van out of the mud and through those tough roads to town.

Ghose's story has no dramatic revelations. It has no build-up or suspense. It is a story of life as it happens. Based on Prafulla Roy's short story, the film captures the unchanging struggle that the impoverished across the country face. Governments change, eras change, cities and towns change, but poverty continues to kill as mercilessly as it did 70 years ago.

In such situations, for people to turn cruel and uncaring would be understandable. But Ghose and Roy turn that idea on its head. Despite her fear of crossing this wild path with a man (considering what she has gone through) and trying to help another stranger, Nathuni chooses to help out of kindness. In the same way, Lakhua, too, helps at every step, even getting Nathuni a job and protecting her till she gets back home, out of kindness. This, Ghose seems to say, is what keeps them human still. 

The cinematography of Ishaan Ghose is a wonderful sight. The wild path, the mud and the rain as well as the desolateness are captured on a grand scale, emphasizing the smallness of the people caught in their midst. 

Adil Hussain and Tillotama Shome lead the film with skill and poise. Hussain is particularly charming as the wandering acrobat, with his dance montages in the middle making for a surreal sight. Shome has poise, courage and a desperation that comes through her body language. Neeraj Kabi, in a cameo, is impressive with his wonderfully adroit performance. Even Omkar Das Manikpuri, with his little role, is genial and memorable.

The story does feel a little slow with the progression particularly dawdling as Lakhua and Nathuni chart their way through the jungle. Perhaps that could have been changed. Other than that, Raahgir is a touching work of cinema about life outside privilege.

Raahgir was screened at the 21st MAMI Mumbai Film Festival on 20 October 2019 and will be screened at the Rajasthan International Film Festival in Jaipur on 22 January 2020.