Film: Loev
Starring: Shiv Pandit, Dhruv Ganesh, Siddharth Menon
Directed by: Sudhanshu Saria
What’s it about
The story follows Jai (Shiv Pandit) and Sahil (Dhruv Ganesh) and 48 hours in their life. New York-based businessman Jai visits Mumbai and he and music producer Sahil head out for weekend trip to Mahabaleshwar. Sahil is going through a low phase with his boyfriend Alex (Siddharth Menon). While Jai is slightly busy with his business meetings, it leads to a little friction between him and Sahil. It’s never clear whether the two are friends or lovers but there is a lot of sexual and emotional tension between them. Then Alex introduces them to a much younger male colleague Junior (Rishabh J Chaddha), leading to further complications.
What’s hot
First of all, it’s commendable for a director to make a film on a taboo subject like homosexuality. And to do it without stereotyping the lead protagonists, is another. The film may have homosexuality as the main subject, but at the heart of it, it is about love and friendships among men. Sudhanshu never lets the viewer forget that and it works beautifully for the movie.
Although, both Shiv and Dhruv do justice to their roles, it is the latter who tugs at your heart with his vulnerable performance. Check him out in the airport scene near the end of the film and you’ll see what we mean. All the actors, including Siddharth are comfortable in their roles.
This is a film where a lot is conveyed through silences. A special mention for cinematographer Sherri Kauk, who provides the film with a number of visually memorable scenes. The scene where Jai and Sahil sit atop a mountain and all one can hear is the wind, is clearly one you will think about long after the movie is over.
What’s not
Since the subject matter being dealt with is offbeat, the makers will find it hard to many eyeballs. Which, will be a shame.
What to do
Loev is about missed chances and you don’t want to miss the chance of watching it. Because no matter how you spell it, this is a film about love.
