Jab Khuli Kitaab

Jab Khuli Kitaab, directed by Saurabh Shukla, is a tender, wise and unexpectedly witty meditation on love in its twilight years. Adapted from Shukla's own play of the same name, the film retains an intimate, almost theatrical texture, allowing silences and glances to speak as eloquently as dialogue.

The atypical romance story and stellar performances make this mature love story worth watching.

Rather than a layered look at separation at an advanced age, the meandering 115-minute movie becomes an open-and-shut case. Divorce emerges as an ugly word in the film's conservative schema, summed up in Anasuya's stern advice to the advocate Negi to "stop breaking other people's homes and make your own".

Kapur’s masterful control shines through in Gopal’s progression from bewilderment and stubborn pride to vulnerability and, eventually, the rediscovery of love.

Saurabh Shukla's direction is decent. He packs in a lot in 115 minutes and peppers the narrative with heartfelt and funny moments. The film begins on a moving note where we see Gopal taking care of a comatose Ansuya. The conflict arises soon and it adds an interesting twist. The entry of the lawyer further adds to the entertainment. However, the fractured bond shared by the old couple remains the USP of the film.

The problem is that the emotions remain mostly surface-level. There simply is not enough depth to move you as a viewer. Moments such as a wife confessing her past to her husband appear tense on the surface, yet the oddly peppy background score treats it almost like a punchline. It leaves you wondering how exactly you are meant to emotionally invest in what is unfolding. What does not help either is that the story, also written by Saurabh, unfolds in a predictable manner. The film’s attempt to tug at your heartstrings is evident throughout. Instead of drawing you in quietly, it seems to be constantly nudging you, almost reminding you that you are supposed to feel something.