Voot, the OTT arm of Viacom 18, began with a bang in terms of doling out original content in the digital space. Its initial ambitious attempts received lukewarm response, which was obvious given the nascent stage of the medium’s evolution.
However, with its latest offering Time Out, the storytelling arc has definitely seen an impressive high. The plot caters to the urbane sentiments in all forms, depicting relatable modern day concerns and issues.
The story of a young married couple experiencing relationship meltdown will appeal to several of us. The pressure to have the good life, big house on hefty EMI is a major issue for many well heeled yuppies.
Rahul, ably played by Tahir Raj Bhasin, after seeing his parents’ marriage flounder, balks at the idea of having a baby at a time when his wife Radha (Sarah Jain Dias) is pregnant, another very common issue. Here, however, the creatives do not take the risk of showing the couple deciding for an abortion; rather she has a medical condition which forces one (problem solved). Guess, certain holy cows (pun unintended) are not to be touched.
Director Danish Aslam has also acknowledged changing social mores by showing women drinking alcohol as normal, earlier…female leads would not touch booze on screen. Pre-marital s*x by the fairer sex is also no longer a taboo.
One of the most layered characters to our mind is the father (veteran TV actor Shishir Sharma). This bearded gentleman after years of marriage has an eight years fling which ends with the accidental death of his partner. All hell breaks loose and his wife walks out on him as well.
Despite the entire social rebuke, he is blasé. He calls himself a loser, advises his son and daughter in law to bury the hatchet and flirts with the nurse hours after having a heart attack. He represents the idea of ‘letting go’ and ‘moving on’, not holding on to emotions.
The scene where Rahul admits to his father ‘that being happy’ is the reason for severing ties with Radha, resonates with many modern day break ups which leave behind crumbles of care and attachment but nodes disconnect owing to practical approach. Watch the ending to find out what really happens though. No spoiler, here.
The lady admitting to her friend Ved (Jugal Hansraj) that the kiss they shared was pleasurable and they might go the whole hog is bold enough by Indian standards. Yet, she says no for the love she treasures for her hubby. The fact that his mother overhears the conversation is icing on the cake. The scene connects generational mindset and in today’s time, though values & sensibilities are changing rapidly, the core remains intact.
Kudos to Danish for showing all sides of the coin wherein the fairer s*x accepts to have ignored her husband owing to getting caught in the maddening rat race. Marriage is all about understanding and acceptance by both the parties.
Time Out inspires many DINK (double income no kid) couples to ponder and freshly reinterpret life. May be they will want something else. Life is not only about how much money is there in your bank account.
Time Out is not frivolous. It pin points modern day urbane relationship woes aptly. Performances and direction hold the plot together, making it engaging and entertaining, yet tickles your thought bubbles making you introspect on the larger meaning of life. It is suggestively spiritual.
Web often relies on cuss and s*x to grab eyeballs. Time Out has its share of bold stuff, yet it is not force fed. Modern day lingo has elements of blaspheme and the car make-out scene is more funny that steamy. Guys, don’t try it out for you might end up causing a traffic jam (chuckles).
Time Out stands out for two reasons: its writing which is full of ingenuity and screenplay which focuses on the soul of the story. Time Out focuses more on the art, than the medium. Hence, it seeps into your senses organically.
IndianWikiMedia would rate it 4 out of 5 stars. Download Voot and watch it.