Sir Movie Review: Tillotama Shome is a class act in this unconventional story of companionship (2024)

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Rohena Gera's Sir, starring Tillotama Shome and Vivek Gomber, is out in the theatres. The film is a poignant story of companionship that demands your attention.

Rarely in Indian cinema dowe see a story of a househelp in the lead. Even if the story does manage to feature at the fore, it's never a love story. Rohena Gera's Sir breaks free from those shackles and humanises a house help in an unconventional and heartwarming story like never before.

That Mumbai is the city of dreams is known to all. People from all over flock to the city in hope that their dreams will be fulfilled too. Amongst them is also Ratna, played by Tillotama Shome. Widowed at a young age, Ratna's aim is to help her younger sister complete her education and learn tailoring to ultimately become a fashion designer. She is currently working at the US-returned architect, Ashwin's (Vivek Gomber) residence, who has recently broken off his engagement.

The duo's initial conversations are formal; ones that usually happen between employer and an employee - a lot many thank yous and only work-related talks. Gradually, it's seen how despite the clear class divide, Ratna and Ashwin have a two-fold thread joining them - loneliness and unfulfilled aspiration.

It's evident that the two have mutual respect for one another right from the word go, but what stands out in this story is that it isn't a love story from the beginning. Both Ratna and Ashwin have lives of their own; the former has friends in Ashwin's driver Raju (Akash Sinha), neighbour's domestic worker Laxmi Tai (Geetanjali Kulkarni) and the building's watchman while Ashwin's friends are all elite, English-speaking people. The only times when they interact with each other are when Ratna serves him water or food or when she wants his permission to step out.

The class divide is evident but the way that mutual respect turns into friendship and then something more is what makes the film's strongest point. It isn't rushing for the two to fall in love, but things are happening at a slow pace and a in rather organic manner, whichfeels real.

The scenes when Ratna politely explains to him why it's important to move on or how he can still pursue his dream and when Ashwin apologises to Ratna for the shrewd behaviour of his friends and later in the film, plans a sweet surprise for her, are the most heartwarming.

Ratna might be a dreamer but she's also a realist at heart. Even as she gifted him a shirt, her insistence on him not telling anyone about it is a sign that she's worried about log kya kahege. Ratna is building a life for herself and is astutely aware that if people find out about what's brewing, she'll have to face consequences. Perhaps, this is why she continues to call him 'sir', even as he insists her not to.

The film's strength also lies in the way it projects class divide and the fact that some feelings don't discriminate - there aren't preachy dialogues but moments that spell it all unequivocally.

Tillotama, as Ratna, is a class act. She knows when to reveal and when to conceal. The sheer balance in her portrayal is a feat in itself. As Ashwin, Vivek delivers a fine performance. The two bring together an unlikely story in the most sensitive way possible. They might be living in the same house but not everything is the same. The differences are brought to notice when one sees Ratna's room and the rest of the house and how Ratna, in fact, comes in her own when she's out with her friends, especially Laxmi. Not once do they caricaturise their respective characters and not once do they lose the pace. Geetanjali as Laxmi Tai is an endearing character and an absolute delight on screen.

Notably, Gera's writing is crisp and to the point. A considerable part of the story is actually narrated through the unspoken and the words then only add the right weight to the narrative.The cinematography is done beautifully; the usage of spaces in the home as though a reflection of the physical distance and the class divide between the leadsis exceptional.

At a runtime of less than twohours, Sir is rich in powerful moments as it is in its sharp commentary. With strong performances, soul-stirring moments and a crisp storyline,this story of companionship is worth every bit of your time.