Aani Maani

Right from the start, Aani Mani (a children's game where they go round and round till they feel dizzy, and then fall on the floor) gives you anxiety. You know something's about to happen - but what and when and how is unclear. It is magic that till that happens you are engrossed in the daily lives of Bhutto, a beef kabab seller, and his family as they go about living joyously using the little resource they have. It made me feel so good and happy to watch Bhutto and his wife, Tarannum, talk, fight, and simply exist within a joint family set in Uttar Pradesh. Things look good for him as the drama starts but then his life is thrown into chaos as the UP government decides to ban beef with some hidden agendas. Aani Mani is rightly haunting and one that made me numb, similar to what Nasir (2020) did to me earlier this year. This is a very good, slow-burning social drama that's worth every minute. TN.

(Reviewed during a virtual screening by IFFSA Toronto.)