No justice—reel or real

Nonika Singh

The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, without a doubt, is one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian democracy. As a subject it has been revisited in many a film; sometimes with a great degree of prudence and sensitivity and often as a mere encapsulation of the events. 31st October sadly falls in the latter category that plays up the violence, throws in a bit of humanity and is nauseatingly shallow in most parts. 

It re-enacts the cataclysmic chain of events that followed in the wake of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards in year 1984. Told through the eyes of a middle class couple, caught in the madness and mayhem that ruled the streets of Delhi, it could have been a powerful and searing account and indictment of the system that was complicit.

Sure, it shows the indifferent, almost callous, attitude of the police but in such a shoddy manner that it fails to make you care. Besides, in its bid to build the atmosphere of fear, what you get is an overdose of repetitive images. As the camera continues to focus on frenzied mobs on the rampage time and again, the narrative comes crumbling down. Too many violent images de-sensitize rather than help build empathy. 

In comparison, the tension writ on the faces of the lead couple (Soha Ali Khan and Vir Das), who like thousands was trapped in the torrent of communal hatred is more effective. Yes indeed, the film is set realistically. Both Vir Das and Soha Ali Khan look like any other Sikh couple rather than stars.

But even their controlled histrionics isn’t enough to redeem the film that veers between being too simplistic and overtly melodramatic. Moreover, the other characters even well-meaning saviours are mere cardboard cut-outs with little fire or spirit.

Thirty-one years after the horrific dance of death justice eludes Sikhs and 31 years after, the makers don’t add a single thing to what is already known. Mobs were instigated by political interests, some Hindus saved Sikhs and thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed brutally and mercilessly. History will bear testimony to it all and there is no denying that those who don’t remember history are condemned to repeat it. 

There can be no issues with the film’s final message either. What is problematic is how it neither reflects on the subject at hand nor delves deep. Like the insane mobs on the prowl it just goes about the motions of recreating momentous moments without sense or sensibility. More chilling than the entire dramatic representation of facts are actual facts and figures.

As the film closes with real figures of the human tragedy, you have goose-bumps. But the film doesn’t offer you any moment or thought that you can carry home. A real tragedy, for what could have been a telling tribute to Sikhs who lost their lives and an audiovisual petition for justice ends up as just another eminently forgettable film. This is no requiem for the community whose ceaseless demand for justice and closure has been all but fruitless.