Not Today

"For those that we have lost, and for those that we can still save." This line at the very start of Not Today sets the tone for an intense, emotional ride. This film takes a rare dive into the delicate and underrepresented topic of suicide prevention. It's not just a movie that raises awareness; it shines a light on the emotional and psychological pressures we all face as human beings.

At the heart of the story is Aliah Rupawala, a 24-year-old Muslim woman, played with great sensitivity by Rucha Inamdar. Her portrayal of internal struggle is remarkable-layered with vulnerability and strength. Opposite her is Harsh Chhaya as Ashwin Mathur, a man standing at the edge of a high-rise, contemplating his final moments. Chhaya's performance carries emotional depth, and together, these two characters create a powerful dynamic that keeps you on edge, pulling you into their personal battles.

The storytelling is extraordinary. What starts off as a phone call to the suicide prevention helpline by a stranger transforms into a deep exploration of life, loss, and hope. As the film unfolds, each scene peels back layers, offering more complexity and emotional intensity. Kriplani's direction allows the plot to gradually reveal its depth without rushing into high drama.

Visually, the film captures the atmosphere of Mumbai, a city bustling with life yet full of silent struggles. The setting plays an important role, giving the story an authentic backdrop that enhances the realism of the narrative.

Both Rucha Inamdar and Harsh Chhaya deliver stunning performances, bringing immense emotional weight to their characters. They guide us through their inner turmoil, decisions, and growth in a way that feels deeply personal and relatable. Their performances are what make the film truly memorable.

Pacing-wise, Not Today is well-crafted. While there are a few minor moments that might feel unnecessary, they do little to detract from the overall impact of the film. The background score is subtle and seamless, so much so that it becomes an organic part of the storytelling, enhancing emotions without drawing attention to itself.

What makes Not Today stand out is its realism. The delicate handling of such a serious topic, combined with raw, honest performances, leaves a lasting emotional impact. It's a film that doesn't just make you think-it makes you feel. You walk away moved, reflecting on the pressures of life and the importance of empathy and connection.

"Not Today" is a must-watch for anyone seeking a story that goes beyond entertainment to explore the deeper, often overlooked struggles of the human experience.

More than the film itself, I love the idea for which it stands for. I mean, the film is not bad; it's just that the core idea is far better than the overall product. NOT TODAY is a poignant and intimately told story about Alia, a young suicide prevention volunteer who gets a call on her first day from a middle-aged suicidal man who happens to also be a veteran in the same line of work. From there, the story is told through several anecdotes by both characters while desperately trying to connect with each other in search of belonging and meaning. The entire film is constructed through both characters talking to each other in a single eventful night with only diegetic sound in the background, thus lending a very realistic and organic ambience. The acting is also good, I mean both characters are subtle yet effective in their respective roles. My only gripe is with the writing; it's good, but somewhat broad stoked and could have used some more nuance and creativity to flesh out the story a little more.

All in all, NOT TODAY is a very well-intentioned and must-watch drama about a very relevant topic that's rarely talked about in the mainstream but, deserves a more urgent and deeper discourse. Well done ADITYA KRIPALANI and team! I can't wait to catch your other works.

Heart Wrenching 💘💔💕 We all can relate to the unbearable agony of losing people in our lives.... Given the nothingness and futility of life, there are times when we all feel suicidal. Director and Actors work are beyond commendable. The way the characters bring the spectators into their lives is highly emotionally charged even if some of them do not have such experiences in life. Cinematography is amazzzzzzing, the kind of darkness that hounds a suicidal person is reflecting in every shot till the end of rolling credits without music. Not Today is among the best of Indian cinema in 2024.

This is cinema, Life as it is.

I have probaby seen the best movie I will see this year, today.

Not Today.

Thats the name of the movie. Directed by the festival favourite, Aditya Kripalani and 'lived' by the profoundly talented duo Harsh Chhaya & Rucha Inamdar. You will find it on YouTube.

The last time I felt so sucked into a story because of its characters was probably The Lunchbox.

You know the type when their nuanced lives become yours. You aren't looking in from the outside. Everything about them is several parts of you and that hurt inside, you don't really show others.

A young bohri girl choosing a suicide helpline as her first job.

A man teetering on the brink of an abyss.

And, what they become for each other.

I have always had the utmost respect for Harsh Chhaya's acting chops. He breaks your heart here. For the first 15-20 minutes of the movie, you mostly see him from the back. The physicality gives you the man's story much before he does. The broken back. A man who is not at peace. A man under seize.

If empathy were to have a face, it would be Rucha Inamdar's. His struggle is hers. Her panic settles him. They are both each other's last chance. I love the way she plays Aliah. Her hope and fight become the anchor of the movie.

This one definitely deserves to be seen. Trigger warnings in place. In a world with an increasing number of people in such peril, we need to ensure, Not Today !

We often hear and read about suicide victims or about those who have attempted suicide. It's not often that we get to know about the people who work at suicide prevention hotlines. For me, this is the main USP of this film - its unique angle that's often overlooked.

While Harsh Chhaya is an established actor and essays his role really well as expected, I really liked Rucha Inamdar's performance as the suicide prevention counselor. Both actors are vulnerable with their emotions and their natural, organic style of acting helps take the story forward.

The pacing, however, was a bit of a letdown for me. The movie gets off to a great start - it had me engaged, the lead character of Aliah was interesting, and so was the premise. But after the 30 minute mark things suddenly slowed down and the tension that was built in those first 30 mins almost seemed to vanish. It started to feel more just like a chat between two people exchanging stories from their life. While it was interesting to uncover the lead characters' backgrounds, I felt the sense of urgency that was required in a story like this was lost.

As expected from a story that revolves around suicide, things do come to a head at the end, but I felt a little reminder here and there during the major chunk of the runtime would've been effective in keeping the audience on its toes. But maybe this wasn't the purpose that the writer and director, Aditya Kripalani, had for this piece. Maybe he meant for it to be a character exploration rather than a tale of trepidation and suspense. In which case, he definitely succeeded.

Nevertheless, it's a story that needed to be told and needs to be watched, so I'd definitely recommend you do. I'd like to thank the team at Mumba Devi Motion Pictures and also Aditya Kripalani for giving me access to the preview screener for this film and allowing me to freedom to give an honest review. Hope to see more thought-provoking films like this one being made by you!