The protagonist of the feature length Assamese film “Jolsobi,” a young college grad named Tapashi (Darathie Bharadwaj), tries to hold a job; she even tries to salvage her relationship with a man who doesn’t feel the same way about her while attempting to make it big in a small village that restricts her and barely allows her freedom of choice… But none of it is ever enough.
Writer and Director Jaicheng Jai Dohutia utilises metaphorical imagery such as Tapashi trudging through a murky waterlogged field to convey a young, unmarried, and unemployed woman’s sense of unease. She must navigate troubled waters brought by feelings of burnout, dissatisfaction, frustration, and inability of securing her place in society. The opening shot of Tapashi fearfully hiding in the woods juxtaposed with her family members searching for a cow that refuses to be found also effectively captures these feelings; we feel the aura of discontent, as well as the listless nature of the protagonist.
A Commentary on Women, the Youth, and the Underprivileged
Tapashi as dwelled in the city for a long time and finds country life difficult; even familiar faces in the village seem like distant and vicious uncivilized monsters out to attack her. Furthermore, her deep-seated insecurities worsen as she feels trapped in a labyrinth in the very hometown she grew up in. The film also explores how the youth and lesser privileged individuals are forced to run from pillar to post; they must wait long intervals with no satisfactory results.
“Jolsobi” also touches upon Tapashi’s fellow female classmates encountering similar personal and professional problems and finding themselves trapped too, just like Tapashi. Another positive of “Jolsobi” it’s never derogatory towards the supporting characters who are as helpless as Tapashi herself. This includes her superstitious and religious parents; they constantly worry about her and offer prayers for their children’s future and well-being, as well as her brother. He is a drug addict and considered as the degenerate of the family. But like the others, the film never paints him negatively; they are merely victims of circumstance who are held back by a system that fails them. The interaction between Tapashi and her brother is another highlight of the film.
Great Performances All Abound
Lead actor Darathie Bharadwaj brings her character to life with apt body language and facial expressions; additionally, the supporting cast are also compelling in their respective roles. The cinematography can feel very limited to only wide angle shots at times and the pace feels sluggish in the first half; but apart from these minor flaws, “Jolsobi” proves to be a thought provoking feature. It comments on the trials and tribulations of the Indian youth, and deserves accolades for providing a thorough insight into the regressive attitudes towards women in certain conservative Indian households.
“Jolsobi” is currently only available to watch in theaters in India.
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