Riverfront Stories review: Distinctive, poignant short stories about life and human connections

Morning, afternoon, evening and night. The Ahmedabad riverfront holds many stories of the countless citizens who take a stroll along its banks as they pass their day. Some are there for recreation, others for livelihood. Still others rediscover some hidden truths about themselves.

Written by Divya Mahendrabhai Thakore, Riverfront tells four unconnected stories about the time of day and what it may bring. The four shorts, each under 20 minutes, are poignant, to the point and engaging. With an appealing cast, directors Aalap Tanna, Vijaygiri Bava, Pratik Rajen Kothari and Abhishek Jain put forth the motifs of their short tales without being overbearing.

Beginning in the morning with ‘Sawaar Sawaar Ma’, the quiet riverfront is awakened by the antics of two mischievous boys in superhero masks. As Batman and Spiderman, they seek an escape from their everyday lives.

Selling water by the riverfront, they happen across a morose corporate worker (Paresh Pahuja). The savvy boys taunt and tease him about his ‘mission’ at the river. The dejected man and the two boys somehow strike up a friendship and come closer as they help each other out. He walks away with a profound lesson.

Directed by Tanna, ‘Sawaar Sawaar Ma’ is a sweet but poignant tale lifted by the guileless performances of the kids Karan Thakore and Krish Rajput.

Moving to mid-day, ‘Madhyahan Na Jhaanjhva’ is a light and sly tale about shrewd pickpocket (Ethan Wade) who thinks about what-ifs after a chance encounter with an ex-girlfriend (Kumpal Patel). Patrolling Guzari bazaar to swipe strangers’ wallets, he is transported back in time through the smell of khus (vetiver) which he associates with her.

His accomplices, played by Riddhi Yadav and Rajesh Bhat, think he is going soft; instead, he manages to finally get some closure on any lingering feelings that may have existed. The short’s title, which translates to the ‘mirage of the afternoon’, is upbeat in tone despite the patchy circumstances that the character faces daily.

Director Vijaygiri Bava doesn’t overload Thakore’s story with maudlin feelings, but with a forward-thinking view of looking ahead. Wade’s cheerful performance lights up this simple tale.

Continuing with the light tone as the day winds down, ‘Sami Saanj’, directed by Pratik Kothari, takes us to a reunion of a man (Tiku Talsania) and a woman (Ketki Dave) which is seen with suspicion by those around them. Dolly, played by Dave, breaks away from her evening bhajan group at a riverfront garden to meet Talsania.

Two suspicious members of the bhajan group (Archan Trivedi and Girish Brahmbhatt) follow indiscreetly behind, gossiping and pondering about the nature of their relationship. Several members of this gathering are widowers or widows, like Dolly, and it doesn’t take much to get these tongues wagging.

The truth is far tamer than their chatty imaginations, but the story has fun with its characters, especially when the oldies let their imaginations run wild. Both Dolly and her mystery man are far more tolerant of their nosy acquaintances; ‘Sami Saanj’ quickly brought a smile to my face. Veterans Talsania and Dave elevate this effortless tale with their presence.

The last story in the anthology is ‘Vaat Raat Maan’, the most emotional of the bunch. Producer-director Abhishek Jain’s short focuses on two sisters having a meal at the riverfront cafe. The elder one (Brinda Trivedi), a workaholic, is still stressed about work when she gets into an altercation with a folk musician on the pathway.

Hurt and embarrassed about not being supported by her younger sister (Nikita Sharma), she finds some alone time. As time passes and so do her emotions, she is repentant and makes amends. It lends to a cathartic moment for her that brings greater understanding to those around her.

Riverfront Stories ends a bit heavier thanks to ‘Vaat Raat Maan’, but with the emotions that have been swirling around for many in these pandemic times, the short will feel both understanding and moving.  

All the stories are standalones, with only an interconnected promotional shoutout to the local bike-sharing service MYBYK, which also presents the anthology. Well-acted and sentimental, Riverfront Stories explores the little but essential threads of human connections we make, with strangers and those we know as friends and family. It’s what keeps us going at the end of the day.

Riverfront Stories is now available on OHO Gujarati.