The best Gujarati film 2021, “21mu Tiffin,” impresses Audiences and connects with them
It packs powerful performances by each and every character, which is the highlight of the film.
Many films on different subjects are made with a certain idea in mind across different genres, and then there are a few rare gems in the form of “21mu Tiffin” highlighting gender bias and patriarchy with the intention to have a larger impact on the mindsets of the audiences. 21mu Tiffin is all about this and much more. It is a recent Gujarati film, which was released on 10th December 2021. It has already been garnering many headlines across the country and now even at a global level.
The film has received some rave reviews thus far. Honest performances, meaningful dialogues, a powerful subject, and a great intention is what 21mu Tiffin is “packed” with. It is a story of a housewife and how she finds meaning and joy in her life. Running 128 minutes, the story keeps holding on to the audience’s attention and never gives a dull moment. What makes 21mu Tiffin a winner is the fact that the protagonist’s role has been written with such grace and meaning that women, generally in Indian households, can instantaneously identify with the character played by Niilam Panchal.
Niilam has dived deep into the skin of the character, which is of a woman running a tiffin service, and how when she meets her 21st tiffin customer, things change for her completely. Though the 21st tiffin customer is a stranger played by Raunaq Kamdar, he befriends her, and the protagonist finds new meaning in her life. Which now is filled with joy and happiness.
21mu Tiffin is adapted from the short story in the Sahitya Akademi award-winning book “Mahotu.” Director Vijaygiri Bava and screenplay writer Raam Mori make sure to showcase how women are often played-down and underemphasized in Indian households in the film. The film highlights how the protagonist never gets enough attention from her husband and daughter and how a stranger values her tiffin service and cuisine, ultimately making her feel more confident and respected.
The film under the banner Vijaygiri Filmos is based on Raam Mori’s short story 21mu Tiffin.
Music by Mehul Surti is pleasing to the ears, while direction by Vijaygiri Bava enthrals audiences with his ability to capture every character’s right emotion on screen.
The Gujarati film starring Niilam Panchal, Raunaq Kamdar, and Netri Trivedi was nominated at the IFFI. It was selected for the Toronto International Women Film Festival 2021, selected or screened at the 16th Tasveer South Asian Film Festival in September 2021. Selected or screened at the 52nd International Film Festival of India, competed for ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal, and even won at the WRPN Women’s International Film Festival 2021.
