You are introduced to the character of Prabha (literally translated into light) early on, even as she continues with her chores of being a nurse. There is a monotony that you observe in her daily chores, even as she attends a handful of patients or conducts practicals for her juniors. Yet, there is an inherent sadness reflective on her face that you just cannot ignore. The camera shifts its POV to the character of Anu, a carefree junior nurse who is discreet with her relationship that is mostly showcased through quick phone calls, while also preferring to spend most of her meagre salary on things she aspires for. The third wheel in the drama is Parvathy, a character coping with the loss of her husband even while holding fort in her house that is soon vied on by the builders of the city who threaten her to leave the place. And the story essentially follows these characters who incidently belong to different age demographics, and hence, view the city of Mumbai through different lenses.

A key observation with regard to the city of Mumbai, which also plays a character, is the weather where the drama unfolds. The raining season of the city also brings about a wave of stickiness that is reflective on the skins of most characters. The same is in turn a metaphor for the ‘Spirit of the city’ that refuses to lay down but at the same time, over-romanticized with the manner in which it is used as a tool. Come to think of it, each of the three characters are dealing with their levels of insecurity and loneliness, ironically in a city that offers very little space. Here, space is an important ingredient that connects the characters – Prabha and Anu share a cramped up apartment together that just doesn’t provide any privacy (in a scene you see Anu changes her clothes with Prabha in the same room with her face turned away). Anu on the other hand, shares an intimate relationship with her boyfriend Shiaz while being uninhibited in making out in a public park with a bunch of boys playing behind them. Alternately, you see them enjoying intimate bus-rides, all due to a space constraint. This, even as Parvathy is asked to vacate her place, the only space that she could ever call ‘hers’ in a big city.

The politics is an integral element in the drama here, used as a tool at various places that doubles up as a social commentary. If the politics around Parvathy’s flat wasn’t enough by the so called capitalists who are powerful, you also see the society coming together to warn Anu of her boyfriend who happens to be a Muslim, even as the writers perform a balancing act by switching the POV, and focusing on Shiaz asking Anu to dress up in a Burkha in order to come to his place for a night of intimacy while his parents are away. This, even as Anu’s perception about her parents lies in the same breath as that of the society. A brief protest scene also is a clear indication of the class differences that are prevalent in the city. Meanwhile, intimacy is also an important ingredient – you see Prabha longing for intimacy while wrapping an electric appliance around her waste. Yet, most of these plucking issues seem to undergo a sharp tonal change in the second hour of the drama with a change in the setting that takes place.

The grim streets of Mumbai are replaced with the radiant roads of Konkan, that automatically acts as being spacious, a symbolism for freedom as opposed to the shackled lives of Mumbai. The more spacious the new town/village is, the more intimate and closer the camera pans towards the characters that slowly begin to find their voices. There is a definitely sense of realisation despite the odd presence of politics in the vicinity (in a scene outside the city, you see Prabha urinating in a forest too, a stark commentary on the status of Swatch Bharat and the initiative of toilets in the country) that drives the narrative towards its conclusion. The final act is ethereal and psychological at the same time that completely mesmerizes you with the light, which for the first time in the drama is used in its full glory. And even when it is not, and with darkness around, there is a radiance of light surrounding the characters that truly acts as a symbol of hope for a better tomorrow. The screenplay is beautifully penned and makes for a wonderful watch.