Aaba Aiktaay Naa? A film rooted in reality

Starring Arun Nalawade, Aaba Aiktaay Naa? is a Marathi short film directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale. The film is a commentary on the trials and tribulations of old age, and Aaba, played by Nalawade, helps us understand the phenomenon in great depth. The short film also helps us understand senior citizens’ perspectives of living in a joint family. Through his acting, Aaba also lets the audience into the grief and feeling of longing he feels for his late wife.

Aaba is a man full of life and joy, and watching him interact with people around him shows his contentment with life. He is often seen meeting his friends, being part of a laughter club, and of course, being deeply engrossed in solving crosswords in the daily newspaper. He is also seen having happy conversations with a picture of his late wife and narrating the events of his day to her.

Aaba enjoys living in his little bubble until an incident at home prompts his daughter-in-law to consult a doctor. It is after this that Aaba must learn to use a hearing aid and is introduced to a whole new world.

It is marvellous to witness Aaba fall in love with the sounds of birds chirping, pressure cookers hissing and rain pitter-pattering on the roof. The joy these otherwise mundane sounds bring him teaches the audience to find happiness in the little things in life. In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to take these everyday sources of bliss for granted, and the film urges the audience to live in the moment and soak it all in while we still can.

The unfortunate and heart-breaking part of the film is when we witness Aaba over-hearing a conversation between his son and daughter-in-law. It comes across as though his family has forgotten that he can now hear well. Viewers can also interpret that the family has perhaps been speaking ill of him for a long time and been taking advantage of the fact that he couldn’t hear.

This incident deeply hurts Aaba, who before this point seems to lead the perfect family life. He watches his life unravel, along with the audience, and decides to do away with the hearing-aid for good. He perhaps realises that he was happier when he lived in his own world, oblivious of what others thought of him. Perhaps Aaba’s deafness was in fact his superpower.

The film ends with a touching poem that one initially thinks is about Aaba’s love for crosswords but is also about life as a whole, the clues and companionship one longs for. It is also refreshing to watch a film that does not have a happy ending but is rooted in reality, which doesn’t always allow for a happily-ever-after.

Aaba Aiktaay Naa? leaves us wondering what we would do if we were in Aaba’s place. Would we do away with the hearing aid too?