‘Jugnuma – The Fable’: Soaring in heights of artistic realism

Life is real, life is magical. And when a movie brings these two elements of reality and fantasy together, which doesn’t happen too often in the Indian film industry, the result can be a thing of beauty, a joy to behold. As it is with director Raam Reddy, of National Award-winning film ‘Thithi’ fame, whose Hindi feature ‘Jugnuma: The Fable’ literally grows on you and glows like fireflies.

The title itself tells you that the subject at hand is surreal. The very first scene, in which we see Manoj Bajpayee flying with a wing-like contraption, tells you that nothing is what it seems. There is a fable at play which comes rather innocuously in the narrative.

Set in the 1980s in Himalayan mountains, shot close to the Indo-Nepal border, the pace is as idyllic as the setting. Bajpayee as Dev is the owner of vast orchards, which he has inherited down the family line from his ancestors, who served the British masters. Deepak Dobriyal, whom we are so used to seeing in comic parts, has an equally significant and sombre part. He is not only the manager of the estate but also the commentator letting us into the twists and turns, the inner crevices of the story. Not that this is a whodunit mystery that makes you sit on tenterhooks. If you have seen the trailer, you know fires will soon engulf this beautiful orchard.

Though the film moves languidly, there is a sense of urgency, a premonition that engulfs you just as fires would. At first, a few trees are burnt and then it’s a wildfire in different sections of the orchard. Cinematographer Sunil Borkar deserves praise for framing the film so exquisitely. Be it the flowering trees in the first stage of fruition, the fire set across the skyline, starlit sky or simply light falling through the slightly ajar door, each frame is a living entity. It’s indeed a master-class in cinematography, coupled with VFX design and art design by production designer Juhi Agarwal.

Enhancing the aesthetic mood of the film is the sound design by Nithin Lukose. The gurgle of water, the tinkle of bells tied to animals… there is a meditative quality to the sounds of nature. There are a couple of songs, too, interspersed as organically as if these are in the real world but not without spiritual import.

Dev’s wife Nandini (Priyanka Bose) sings beautifully, and her singing delights her daughter Vanya (Hiral Sidhu), who is home for summer vacation with Shivoham, first marker of oneness with the Supreme. And then she sings again for visitors who are there to investigate the matter. Who is Dev’s enemy, and even he questions: “Do people want something from me?” He is baffled and so are we until the film concludes with a symbolic intent.

Trust Bajpayee to mirror inner conflict in an understated yet expressive manner. His well-attuned performance once again reminds you what a brilliant actor he is. Dobriyal keeps him company and pulls out his part without even the slightest hint of artifice.

Other actors, be it Bose or Sidhu or the youngest member of the family, Awan Pookot as Juju, are in groove with the film’s honesty. The fable we hear somewhere in the middle of the film by Radha (Tillotama Shome) acquires wings. Shome is impressive even in a small part.

Is the film a commentary on class divide; on the innate human goodness otherwise fast dwindling in this acquisitive world; on the climate crisis or meeting of this world with the unknown? You can draw your own conclusions. What you can’t dispute is how magnificently the storytelling arc is built. Of course, savouring it would require patience, especially for those who have grown up on a diet of Bollywood masala.

‘Jugnuma: The Fable’ premiered at the 74th Venice International Film Festival last year, and created history by becoming the first Indian film to win Best Film at the 38th Leeds International Film Festival in the United Kingdom. It also won the Special Jury Award at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. Needless to say, the film is an experience. Only, it can be enjoyed if you are ready to submit to its enrapturing quality.

The glowing spirit of ‘Jugnuma’ will make you soar in the heights of artistic realism. Surrender to its tender softness which lingers long after. We can still see and feel its sublime essence.