Jugnuma review: This Manoj Bajpayee starrer is a masterclass in nuanced storytelling and restrained performances, exploring magical realism

Written and directed by Raam Reddy, Jugnuma (The Fable) is presented by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap and explores magical realism as a genre!

Magical realism is a genre that I, just like the majority of the Indian audience, have largely experienced in literature, and I have no qualms in admitting that I’m an absolute sucker for it. It takes you on a unique journey and lingers long after it ends, making you admire the imagination, creativity and courage required to attempt it. The genre has largely remained unheard of within the realms of cinema, particularly desi, maybe because of its difficult execution and tricky bankability. However, thanks to the conviction of our indie filmmakers, Jugnuma, starring Manoj Bajpayee, after winning hearts in the international film circuits, will finally light up the theater screens on Friday. 

Helmed by National Award-winning director Raam Reddy, who made the world take notice of his craft through his Kannada film Thithi, Jugnumafollows Dev (Manoj Bajpayee), an estate owner grappling with mysterious fires that repeatedly burn his fruit orchards, and how his quest for answers to some unexplainable incidents blur the lines between natural and supernatural. Set in 1989 in the breathtakingly beautiful Himalayas, the film opens with a one-shot take of Dev quickly getting done with his morning routine and getting out in the sun to fly against the majestic backdrop of the skies wearing a self-designed wing-suit. The movie is shot on 16 mm film and helps the sequence set the tone for this realistic, visually appealing fable perfectly. 

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What stood out for me was how the makers subtly and quietly explore the class divide in the film. Dev is shown to be leading a perfectly happy life in his British-era style bungalow in the scenic mountains of Himachal Pradesh, where he lies on the grass and stargazes with his family, dons his wing-suit and takes a nice little flight whenever he pleases, and commands great respect among the villagers and farmworkers. Not that the landlord is snobbish about his generational wealth or is undignified in his treatment towards those who work for him, yet you do sense a hint of classicism in his manners and in the way he interacts with his staff. While you see him and the family enjoying the luxuries of his privileged life on one hand, you are also exposed to the general difficulties endured by the regular working-class residents of the village, serving as a silent social commentary on the contrasting worlds of the rich and the poor. 

Dev’s dreamy life, however, takes a worrisome turn when a series of mysterious fires breaks through his land and destroys his precious orchids despite his best efforts to safeguard the land. He sets out to seek answers - is it foul play, a natural occurrence, or something else? The film is a slow burn and even tests your patience at times, but keeps you intrigued till the end, rewarding you with a satisfying climax. Sunil Borkar’s cinematography is another highlight of the film, making it a visually appealing affair that complements the mystic vibe of the film, skillfully capturing the serene yet mysterious landscapes of the Himalayas. 

Bajpayee as Dev delivers a performance to remember. He is restrained and profoundly nuanced as a man worried for the safety of his family, a troubled estate owner who is distressed by the frequent fires in his orchids and a mild-mannered yet justifiably disappointed boss of the workers assigned the task of protecting his precious plantations, which, by the way, also serve as the livelihood of hundreds of villagers. He speaks very little but carries immense emotional depth and yet again showcases a remarkable facet of his acting range.Deepak Dobriyal as Mohan, the manager of the orchids and Dev’s most trusted employee, stands out as his loyalist and narrator of the film. For a man mainstream cinema has largely utilised as comic relief, Dobriyal testifies that he is capable of convincingly breathing life into any character, irrespective of the screentime, and leaving a lasting impression. Priyanka Bose as Dev’s wife Nandini and Tillotama Shome, in her cameo lend solid support to the ensemble. 

Overall,Jugnuma is a near-perfect introduction to the genre of magical realism for the Indian audience, elevated by Raam Reddy’s unique and nuanced storytelling.

Jugnuma will play in theaters near you from this Friday! 

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