Image Source: Amazon Prime Video When people first saw the trailer of the movie ‘Gehraiyaan’, they assumed the story was all about infidelity, broken relationships and heartbreak, This is even true to some extent. But after watching the film, one realizes that the story goes beyond these assumptions and discusses important issues that are very relevant to our modern society. In addition to exploring the issue of infidelity and the complex relationships between people, Director Shakun Batra’s dramatic work also delves into this concept. about childhood trauma, how it impacts one’s adult life and why it is necessary to accept it and move on. The film builds this idea slowly – not shying away from challenges – but overcoming them, with stronger and more resilient characters.
How does Gehraiyaan depict childhood trauma?
The film revolves around the central character Alisha Khanna, played by Deepika Padukone, who lost her mother at a young age to suicide. For a long time, she blames her father Vinod, played by Naseeruddin Shah, for her mother’s tragic end, but she eventually unravels the real truth. The story focuses on her mother’s passing, and how bad blood with her father shaped her into adulthood. Not only is she struggling to get by, but she is also dealing with a lot of anxiety, which is why she has to take medication. From fear of confrontation to insecurity over losing more people in her life, Deepika’s character is always “stuck”, unable to move on from the past or overcome the present, which makes her unhappy.
Image credit: Amazon Top Video
But it’s not just Alisha who struggles with childhood trauma. Siddhant Chaturvedi’s character Zain in the film has shared about his traumatic experiences. He mentioned witnessing domestic violence, where his mother was the victim, but chose to continue in that abusive relationship. His life as an adult is therefore shaped by how he was raised. Poverty and persecution brought him out of the darkness. This motivated him to achieve more, strive for a greater and more prosperous life, but led him to his own grave. Why is it necessary to “talk”? The first half of the film deals with the thrill and excitement of having an affair, how it helps two people be happy, almost forgetting the painful past. But towards the end, the film turns dark, making the audience uncomfortable with the entire scene. This is where ‘talking’ comes in handy for the characters. After losing the love of her life, Tia, the character played by Ananya Pandey, decides to reveal the truth about her father and Alisha’s mother, about how they had an affair. Suddenly, everything started to make sense. Why did Alisha’s father choose to leave, why did he break up with his brother, why Alisha’s mother was unhappy and why did she take her own life. For all these years, she had blamed her father for her mother’s death, but all along, he had been the same. also a victim
Image credit: Amazon Top Video
A scene shared by Vinod and Alisha, where father and daughter finally ‘talk’, highlights the need for communication to overcome trauma. Although it may not heal a person immediately, it gives strength to hope. Talking about his wife, Alisha’s mother, and the mistakes she has made in her life, Naseeruddin aka Vinod in the film, does not look down on her choices in life. Tell your daughter to remember how she doesn’t just make mistakes. “Uski zindagi, uss ek galti se badi thi, aur tumhari bhi hai. She has so much more to offer.” When Alisha asked, “Do my choices matter, Dad?”. He replied, “Ye jaane ka toh ek hi tarika hai. You give yourself a chance.” This scene beautifully depicts the importance of choice. But although it may be difficult to move on and choose a better life, it is an effort we all must make.
