Ajeeb Daastaans
2021 · Directed by Shashank Khaitan, Neeraj Ghaywan, Raj Mehta, Kayoze Irani
Original language: Hindi
- drama
- romance
The story
An anthology of four stories that explore the surprising ways in which unexpected catalysts inflame the uncomfortable emotions simmering under fractured relationships.
What it’s like
Four separate stories, each shot in its own domestic register, so the film shifts texture every half hour: warm tungsten lamplight in cramped apartments, cool daylight through blinds, and the hushed, close framing of rooms where people speak in low voices. Camera work tends toward still, measured compositions and patient two-shots that let silences stretch, with handheld movement creeping in when tempers rise. The score is sparse and restrained, mostly small piano figures and ambient room tone, so the quiet between lines carries as much weight as the dialogue. The vibe is intimate, wry and quietly tense: a slow-burn unease rather than melodrama, with flashes of dark humour and tenderness. Its emotional register is restrained and observant, following ordinary people, often women, as resentment and longing surface in unexpected moments. Intensity is moderate: some sexual content and frank adult situations, arguments and emotional cruelty, but no gore and little physical violence. It suits a late evening alone or a thoughtful weekend watch, and it is for viewers who enjoy character-led, grown-up drama and sharp, understated relationship portraits.
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