Pushtaini: Vinod Rawat's Debut Film Dissects Trauma, Ambition, & Exploitation
When Hritik Roshan and his acting coach Vinod Rawat sat down for a video by IMDb to talk about the craft of filmmaking, the conversation steered towards what makes an actor. Vinod, quite confidently mentioned how he can make anyone act, which might sound obnoxious at first until you find out that that's exactly what he did. He cast his whole family in his debut film Pushtaini. The casting wasn't easy. Most of his family are shy people who are generally nervous about taking pictures. To convince them to play the people that the story demanded and to do it in a way that was authentic needed someone as masterful as Vinod; someone who clearly knows how to access personal narratives and use them as devices for engrossing storytelling.
Vinod produced, directed and starred in this film that he co-wrote with Rita Heer, who also plays a supporting role. Pushtaini in every sense of the word is an independent film that is in the limelight for all the right reasons. Set in Uttarakhand, the story revolves around Bhupinder Singh Rawat, or Bhuppi, a young man with acting aspirations who leaves his hometown to find opportunities in Mumbai. But the City of Dreams soon turns into a nightmare as Bhupinder confronts the harsh realities of the industry, forcing him to confront his deepest fears and buried traumas.
Bhupinder, now known by his screen name Aryan Shaw, struggles to land his big break. He eventually nabs a small role in a film featuring the renowned Rajkummar Rao. However, his performance falters, and his anxieties worsen when an MMS featuring him starts circulating. The source of this humiliation is a predatory line producer who exploits Bhupinder's desperation for a foothold in the industry.
With his career on the brink of collapse, Bhupinder is forced to return to his hometown in Uttarakhand. This homecoming is far from idyllic. He grapples with a strained relationship with his family, particularly his father and the weight of unresolved issues and the complexities of their dynamic eventually come to the fore. As Bhupinder navigates these troubled waters, he encounters Dimple, a life coach in town to meet her biological father battling her own inner demons. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, seeking solace in the familiar yet distant beauty of their hometown, trying to make peace with the grudges they hold against their fathers.
Pushtaini transcends the boundaries of a coming-of-age story. It bravely tackles the sensitive issue of sexual exploitation of men in a society that often chooses to ignore it. Bhupinder's journey becomes a metaphor for the silent struggles of many men who grapple with the shame and trauma of such experiences. The film doesn't shy away from portraying the emotional turmoil and the impact these experiences have on shaping an individual's personality.
Pushtaini might be an independent film with occasional technical or narrative shortcomings, but its brilliance lies in its raw and honest portrayal of the ridiculously treacherous journey into oneself. The performances, particularly by Rawat himself, are commendable. He effortlessly captures Bhupinder's vulnerability and determination. He's the true lone hero who must venture into the forest of his psyche from which he may or may not return.
Both the film, and the work that went into making it glows with the magic that powers cinephiles around the world. Across the homegrown cinematic landscape, there are voices too important to be left unheard and it's artists like Vinod Rawat who will not stop until they've done their best to amplify them. The film had its South Asian premiere at the Jio MAMI Film Festival last year and was released in the theatres on June 21.
Follow Vinod here and watch the trailer of Pushtaini below.
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