Introduction –
Every time we pick up a film for review we expect a refreshing change, a deviation from the normal but most of the times it turns out to be our wishful thinking. Not this time! Transistor took us by surprise with its pleasantly off-beat subject. Set in 1975, the story revolves around teenage romance in a small village amidst socio-political upheavals caused by the infamous Emergency.
Synopsis –
Uma ( Ahsaas Channa ) lives in a village with her parents. Everything seems to be going fine until one day Uma’s mother finds out the bitter truth about her husband; that he’s been forcibly vasectomized ( Family Planning ). On the positive side, the government gifts him a transistor which is considered an elite object and a costly asset.
Transistor – This short film is set in a small village
Uma carries the radio to a nearby riverfront and listens to various programs. It evolves into a daily routine. And the reason is Pawan ( Mohammad Samad ), a local boy who follows her to this rendezvous point every day. Although they don’t talk, they frequently glance at each other from a distance. It is during one such encounter Pawan climbs up the tree to get a better view of Uma but falls off unexpectedly on the transistor which breaks into several pieces. Scared and at her wits end, Uma dashes home without looking at Pawan.
Back home, Uma’s parents are discussing her marriage. Her mother says that they will give the Transistor as dowry and not a penny more. The revelation turns Uma even more anxious. Then days later, she visits the river front looking for Pawan. She does find him and also a brand new Transistor. She smiles and heaves a sigh of relief. She then questions Pawan about the new radio; because it costs three hundred fifty rupees, way beyond anyone’s reach, especially Pawan. However, Pawan offers a muted expression.
Watch the film to know the climax and how Pawan managed to get a brand new transistor.
Analysis –
Transistor is a breath of fresh air. The story and screenplay is unique, well-balanced while some of the shot compositions turned as excited. Background score and the song complements the settings beautifully. Ahsaas Channa, who is usually expressive and offers scintillating performances, somehow fell short of her own standards. Mohammad Samad, the new face has immense potential. Our only peeve is the brevity of this film. Had it been a little longer, its impact would have been manifold. Nonetheless, it is a thoughtful cinema by Prem Singh.
2021 Prem Singh Prem Singh 22 Minutes Amazon miniTV