Lampan
Introduction
There are a few shows that you watch for the actors, and then there are a few shows that you venture into because of the director. And Lampan directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari was one such show. I have observed a trend of Sonyliv barely spending a rupee in marketing shows on their OTT platform. This is particularly painful because the OTT platform has been a frontrunner in churning out quality content while also being open to the incorporating content which isn’t necessarily mainstream. As a result, the buzz around a particular show may not be as high as it ought to have been, which is why I did not originally intend to watch Lampan until I got to know that it was directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari. For folks who aren’t aware, Nipun had previously directed Me Vasantrao, an incredible biopic on a popular musician that accounted for such a brilliant watch. And that film made me reassured that here is a director who does know his craft, while also being privy to extracting emotions in their purest form. That was enough motivation for me to venture into Lampan without knowing what to expect. So then does Lampan manage to impress, let’s find out.
Story & Screenplay
Set in a remote village in an era preceding the one involving social media, Lampan follows the story of a little boy forced to stay with his grandparents who discovers different flavours of life through some heartfelt experiences. The story here is heartfelt while occasionally resorting to philosophies of life as explored through the lens of a young boy who experiences loneliness very early on in his life. But with some caring people around, life isn’t even that bad in what seemingly is a heartwarming coming of age story. The screenplay standing at 7 episodes of roughly 30 odd minutes each are breezy and light while ensuring that the overall length of the show is under check. Furthermore, each episode is divided into events, with each event adding a different flavour in the life of the protagonist who is outside his comfort zone in staying away from his parents. The life lessons that he learns is crucial in shaping him as a human being in this sweet little coming of age show.
The drama opens with the introduction of the protagonist, a young boy breaking the fourth wall and interacting with the viewers on the hardships of school. The shot taken is through the classroom window with rods on it, something that is equated to a prison that the young protagonist thinks himself to be in. Outside his school, he lives with his grandparents who are slightly on the stricter side but deep inside do care for him(seemingly oblivious to him). A quick flashback acquaints us with the fact that he has been sent by his parents to ‘give company to his grandparents’, something that he doesn’t quite approve of. As a result, he does experience loneliness even while surrounded with people that do care for him, be it his friends, his neighbour or his grandparents.
The proceedings are engaging particularly with the format of the show, exploring different events in the everyday life of the protagonist. Often, the events tend to be philosophical too emerging out of the supposed imagination of the protagonist, even as he fends for himself everyday in trying to stay happy. Thr events evoke a sense of nostalgia be it the situations arising in the classroom related to the report card of the protagonist, or his casual stumble upon a local bully who befriends him after getting to know the family history between their grandfathers. This, while the protagonist struggles with the idea of living away from his parents that results in a feeling of loneliness and reclusiveness.
The drama has a very unique and distinct flavour to it, particularly because it doesn’t directly get to the part of nostalgia, often equating it with objects that would trigger a memory, or even resorting to a comparison by drawing parallels with the situation in hand with aspects of religion or even nature. This for me was tending towards being a niche given how our palate longs for bouts of relatability often. And the writers do take some dramatic turns too which lead to simplistic solutions, but not always hitting the sweet spot with its core of emotions. This might have been a deliberate attempt at getting into the psyche of the protagonist which was filled with conflicting emotions even as he comes to terms with life around him. But this was a difficult translation onscreen, and I don’t think the makers quite nailed it. Apart from that, the events leading to the final act do tread a familiar path of realisation and the grand home coming leading to a bittersweet end but heartfelt in terms of it being coming of age. Overall, the screenplay is pretty well written and makes for a pleasant watch.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are simplistic while trying to emote complex emotions in a rather uncomplicated manner, and to a very large extent, the lines manage to leave a mark. There are genuine bouts of heartfelt emotions underlying the narrative which are well explored through the lines. The music and the BGM go perfectly with the leisurely paced setting that plays an important character too. The gentleness of the notes compliment the laid back narrative while creating a solid impact. The cinematography is beautiful capturing the mystic landscapes of the village beautifully well through some wide shots. And some mid-shots help the viewers to peek into the psyche of the protagonist who often breaks the fourth wall. The editing is crisp and sharp while not deviating from the core emotions in hand through the course of its episodes. Director Nipun Dharmadhikari does a wonderful job in tapping into some unsaid and complex emotions in a rather simplistic manner. The idea of staging the drama through the muddled mind of a young boy was a good idea on paper, and the director does his job beautifully well in translating it to celluloid. Yes, it ain’t perfect but it is a commendable effort nevertheless in an overall job done really well.
Performances
The performances are excellent by the ensemble cast. Pushkaraj Chirputkar has a pleasant personality onscreen and he does a good job as Lampan’s father. Kadambari Kadam as the mother delivers a heartfelt performance oozing with warmth, almost keeping her vulnerable identity hidden from the world. Avani Bhave has a charming personality onscreen and she does a terrific job as Sumi. Chandrakant Kulkarni as Ajoba is brilliant, often oscillating between being playful, ignorant and caring in what was a solid act. Geetanjali Kulkarni as Ajji is such a fine actor who seamlessly allows her performance to flow from one emotion to another. While she comes across as an irritated and intimidating personality, watch out for her performance when she hugs her grandson and cries her heart out. That was such a heartfelt moment that gave the viewers a glimpse into her softer side. She is amazing in a rather complex character. Mihir Godbole as Lampan is such a pleasure to watch while tapping into some unsaid and complex emotions as a part of his psyche. His ability to showcase his vulnerability while consistently being affable was an absolute joy to witness. And because the drama unfolds through the lens of his character, you engage with his emotions as well. This was quite a towering act by a talented young performer. All other actors perform rather well.
Conclusion
Lampan is a sweet coming of age drama laced with philosophy and simplicity, and boasting of solid performances that makes for a pretty good watch. Available on SonyLiv.
