Amaltash follows the story of a chance encounter between two individuals who eventually bond over music. The symphonies of life that take place with the backdrop of some musical melodies and ballads is what forms the basis of the story. The story here is deftly heartfelt while almost being designed like a slice of life drama that flows uninhibitedly through its conversations and melodies. I can’t quite remember romance as a genre been explored in its purest form in the recent past, wherein it is often combined with sub-genres like drama or a comedy. This tale had a scope for a drama too but credit to the writers for never losing sight of its core value which was of music and romance – two important characters in the screenplay standing at well under 2 hours. In fact, the emotions that it taps into is so subtle that it almost allows you room to notice your breath during its narrative before unassumingly embracing you with its bittersweet tone. And that is life wherein a flower loses its fragrance while another one begins to bloom in the adjacent branch. 

The drama begins with a concert that establishes two things upfront – one that this drama is a musical with music being one of its central characters. And the other, a catastrophe that would eventually run as an undercurrent throughout the narrative. The drama jumps timelines with the reintroduction of the protagonist, Rahul whom we are told is living a quiet little life while working in a music shop and gracefully accepting his fate. He is still a musician by heart and can identify the pitch of the tune almost instantly, but his dream of pursuing it as a career remains a distant reality. On the other hand, you are introduced to Keerti, a singing prodigy herself who is visiting India with an intention to take her now aging grandma with her to Canada. Fate brings the two individuals together who bond over their common interest – music! 

The proceedings are calming and extremely comforting that almost made me feel the warmth on a pleasant sunny day. Music is the core ingredient here and there are innumerous compositions that are seamlessly integrated in the drama, that gently tug the strings of your heart while making their way to your soul. There is beauty even in the appreciation of music between characters – be it the gentle blush on the face of Keerti or the soulful glance of Rahul almost breaking into a smile. I wish a little emphasis was given to the setting as well wherein the city could have played a character in the film too. But as conversations flow, so does the music and the love emerging out of it. The jamming sessions are beautifully poignant and convey a range of emotions in the most fruitful manner possible. This, even as there is an undercurrent of a potential catastrophe lurking in the corner that never weighs the film down at any point. In fact, the reactions of the characters are also gentle towards it while curbing the seriousness of the situation in hand. 

The drama continues to be a sweet poetry with stray doses of humour integrated in the narrative. There is genuine sweetness to the events even as love blossoms while also touching upon a few philosophies of life. This, while the drama unfolds like a conversation, almost like the fleeting presence of life and the surprises that it brings along with it. It was almost like storytelling through music that culminates into a bittersweet end that taps into a limited set of emotions that are so pure that it moves you to the core. Overall, the screenplay is beautifully penned and makes for a wonderfully poignant watch.