Imagine if you woke up one day and realize your memory was slowly fading away, and there’s no cure. Would you hold on to the present and try to remember as much as possible for the future, or revisit happier times from your past and relive them?
Three of us is story about Shailaja Desai (Shefali Shah), who has been diagnosed with dementia and is grappling with the uncertainty of the disease, and what that means for her and her identity.
Instead of stressing about the future, she chooses to revisit her childhood in a town called Vengurla, where she grew up, went to school, learned to dance, and made friends –perhaps in the hope of reuniting with one friend with whom she shared a special bond with, Pradeep Kamat (Jaideep Ahlawat).
What first appears to be a woman’s hunt to find a long-lost love, soon becomes a heartfelt journey down memory lane with Shailaja, her supportive husband Dipanker Desai (Swanand Kirkire), and a poetic Pradeep.
Shailaja’s past and present explore Vengurla with her, as she reconnects with her roots, her home, the landscapes, her dearest friend and even her trauma.
What’s remarkable about Three of Us, directed by Avinash Arun, is how most of the film plays out in silence, yet conveys a plethora of emotions from beginning to end.
A huge credit for that goes to writers Avinash Arun, Omkar Achyut Barve and Arpita Chatterjee for penning a complex story about relationships and portraying it with such simplicity.
The film is also blessed with a stellar cast that make acting look easy. I couldn’t take my eye off Shefali Shah who emotes with her eyes, body language, and her silence.
Watch out for a scene where she visits her old dance teacher and watches the students perform. She reluctantly joins them to test her memory, which sparks a childlike spirit and evokes a burst of emotions. I cried.
Three of Us starts off as a story about its three central characters, and ends on a poignant note about cherished memories, acceptance, and surrender.
