Three of Us: Is It A Wonderful Movie?

The Three of Us (2023/Hindi) movie is an uplifting trip for all of us. It is a delicate tale about love, loss, healing, awareness, liberation and many more raw feelings. The film focuses on the three main characters are wife Shailaja Desai (Shefali Shah), her husband Dipankar Desai (Swanand Kirkire), and her childhood school friend Pradip Kamat (Jaideep Ahlawat).

A Sensitive & Emotional Trip Down The Memory Lane

Spoiler Free Review: Three of Us (2023/Hindi) Movie

The synopsis

While grappling with the early symptoms of dementia, Shailaja Desai (Shefali Shah) finds herself at the cusp of her past, present and future. She decides to go on a trip to revisit her childhood before her memories ebb away. Shailaja embarks on a confrontational journey that makes her deal with questions related to a traumatic event in her childhood, the mundanity of her marriage, and the complexity of her future. As Shailaja travels through the sprawling coastline of Konkan with her husband Dipankar Desai (Swanand Kirkire) and childhood love Pradip Kamat (Jaideep Ahlawat) by her side, we see her inching closer towards the forgiveness and liberation she has yearned for.

So, what more is this film all about

This movie is an amazingly evocative relationship drama set in busy Mumbai and the beautiful Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is one of the finest pieces of poetic cinema. Taking a leaf out of the real life of ordinary folks, it weaves a mature and thought-provoking tale. No doubt, it is one of the best Hindi films that we have seen this year. And we have seen a lot for the sake of our readers. A simple story about human relationships is at its core. Still, ‘Three of Us’ touches the hearts and souls of us, the viewers.

Moreover, it is soft and melancholic

Even after the movie has ended, its impact on Us is immense. Its soft and melancholic tones stay with us. So, it is not about the story. It is about how it touched our hearts and souls. In the initial stage of the story, the protagonist Shailaja tells her husband Dipankar that she wishes to visit Vengurla, a small Konkan town in Maharashtra. It is a place close to her heart. She wants to visit her childhood place sooner rather than later, as the early stage of her dementia has set in. She stayed there for three years and studied there from Class 5 to 8, only.

However, that sleepy town and its inhabitants have deeply affected her life. And Vengurla is the only place worth travelling to and refreshing all the good and bad memories from her childhood days. And if possible, meeting the person (s) who are important to her.

“I don’t know if it (Vengurla) is a city or a town.”

Shailaja Desai (Shefali Shah) in the film

Demure eyes of Shailaja Desai (Shefali Shah) steal our hearts

This film revolves around the protagonist Shailaja Desai (Shefali Shah) and her heart-touching journey into the past. In one of those subtle scenes from this low-key, poignant movie, Shailaja is ticking off her to-do list. Even though her memory continues to fade away.

As Shailaja Desai, actor Shefali Shah has given a lesson on the acting masterclass. But then, Shefali Shah (Shailaja Desai) is not alone in giving us the acting masterclass. Two other brilliant male actors – Jaideep Ahlawat (Pradip Kamat) and Dipankar Desai (Dipankar Desai) have enthralled us with the highest level of acting performances in this sensitive tale about love, loss and more.

We only wish that we could tell you all more about its story, but then that would be spoilers.

“The script was originally told to me as a one liner. For a change from strong characters, I play a vulnerable and fragile women. That is the beauty of the character. But just because I am strong doesn’t mean I can’t be vulnerable. Both are beautiful. Why must one choose between the two? Strength and vulnerability reside within each of us.”

Shefali Shah | PIB.

Strong & silent Pradip Kamat (Jaideep Ahlawat) displays a compassionate side

With his subtle act, the tall and bulky Jaideep Ahlawat forces us to see his loving side. The sheer range of emotions in this film has been explored in a heart-touching manner. Moreover, the depths and strengths of relationships have been marvellously explored in this film. We loved the maturity of husband-wife relationships, which are grounded in reality. Although the focus is more on Dipankar Desai (Swanand Kirkire) and his wife, Shefali Shah (Shailaja Desai), the family ties of Jaideep Ahlawat (Pradip Kamat) and his wife, Kadambari Kadam (Sarika Kamat) are equally fascinating and endearing.

We also loved his Hindi poems in the film, especially the Udgam – which means the place of origin.

“The emotions depicted in the film are inexplicable in words. Avinash (film director) and I have studied together in film school and worked together on Pataal Lok (Hindi series), so we have known each other’s working styles for a long time. As far as the film is concerned, I can’t articulate everything here as it has to be experienced on screen only.”

Jaideep Ahlawat | PIB.

Mature & level-headed Dipankar Desai (Swanand Kirkire) is too understanding

Swanand Kirkire shone as an actor. He plays an understanding husband; not only is his wife losing her memory, but he also gets to meet the childhood love of his wife. There is so much maturity in the way all three of them (us) handle the complex relationships. We have seen a similar movie – Past Lives (from the USA) about complicated human bonds. And as usual, the veteran actor Swanand Kirkire underplays his amazing acting in this film. We liked his calm and collected restraint in his scenes with Shefali and Jaideep.

“This film shows a vulnerable Shefali, a riveting Jaideep and a Swanand Kirkire who can’t sing well.”

Swanand Kirkire | PIB.

The conclusion

This film is lyrical and poetic in its content. Moreover, the crumbling and hauntingly exquisite buildings of Konkan are shot beautifully by its cinematographer. Avinash Arun, the writer, director and cinematographer, has excelled again.

We also had the subtle music, which played its part in setting and keeping pace with the sombre mood of the movie. We can assertively say that it is one of those unforgettable movies that touch your raw nerves and make you emotional. And this film gives us one of those rare moments when you feel the length of this film is too short. As you yearn for more. More of these actors. More of their story. But then it was the end of the stunning movie. To conclude, no wonder we sincerely believe it’s a must-watch, indeed a wonderful movie of the year.

“I spent 3-4 years of my childhood in Konkan, and I had my first interaction with nature there. I’ve always tried to find the child in me through my films, especially this one, as I am attached with this region from my childhood.”

Avinash Arun | PIB.

Rating: Three of Us (2023/Hindi) Movie

Poster: Three of Us (2023/Hindi) Movie

Key Details: Three of Us (2023/Hindi) Movie

Trailer: Three of Us (2023/Hindi) Movie

Also, you can check out the film on the Netflix India platform - Three of Us | Official Trailer | Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat, Swanand Kirkire, & Avinash Arun | YouTube.

Featured Image, Poster and the Bonus Image – Three of Us (2023/Hindi) Movie | Geetha Arts.