Barely weeks after the Tamil anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa unlocking the fears tears hope and other dope during the lockdown, Amazon Prime Video is back with a similar five-story high ‘sigh’-scraper ,this time in the rashtra bhasha.
The just-out trailer of Unpaused: Naya Safar which starts streaming on January 21 is filled with heartwarming moments, as we see some unwaveringly competent actors at work here. Veteran Neena Gupta in Gond Ke Laddu directed by Shikha Makan wants to send laddoos to her daughter during the lockdown.But God and the courier boy have other plans. Ashish Varma is moving in Ruchir Arun’s Teen Tigada as an underdog who craves for samosas. Shreya Dhanwanthary and Priyanshu Painyuli steal a kiss in Nupur Asthana’s Couple.
While the mood in the trailer is upbeat, there are dark undercurrents to be discerned everywhere in the way people try to reach out to one another. No one is painting a rosy picture of the lockdown here. But there are glimpses of hope and comfort in the stories. I can’t wait to see how they finally appear on January 21.
Ruchir Arun, Director, Teen Tigada, renarks, “Unpaused: Naya Safar anthology boasts of compelling narratives, showcasing a multitude of emotions and we’re really excited to bring our film as part of this anthology. With Teen Tigada, our effort was to highlight the threshold of human emotions, amidst the tribulations of an ongoing pandemic which hit us like a storm. This film has a unique narrative, beautifully translated on screen by the actors and we hope it will resonate strongly with the masses as well.”
Nupur Asthana, Director, The Couple, observes “Layoffs were a glaring reality of the pandemic that hit professionals very hard the world over, leaving them uncertain and demotivated. The Couple captures the emotional upheaval and complexities caused by such a professional setback and how it impacts personal relationships between two people altering their realities. The first edition of the anthology beautifully struck a chord with the audience, and we hope now Unpaused Naya Safar will, am sure, open to similar love and appreciation.
Shikha Makan, Director, Gond Ke Laddu, said “The pandemic has affected one and all in ways that are unexpected and uncalled for. We all worry for our loved ones living far away and look for means to connect and care for them even from a distance. And sometimes we find connections with strangers too. The idea of Gond Ke Laddu was to showcase the spectrum of human bonds, but with a twist. It was an enriching experience to shoot this film with an amazing cast and crew who breathed life into this subtle yet substantial narrative. We’re sure the story will connect with the audiences at an emotional level.”
Ayappa KM, Director, War Room, said “War Room showcases the vulnerability of frontline workers who encountered unfavourable situations during the outbreak of the pandemic. This is a gripping story that unravels a different facet of human emotion in duress and I owe it to the entire team for bringing it alive so beautifully.”
Nagraj Manjule, Director of Vaikunth, said “Unpaused Naya Safar anthology reflects on a range of emotions with each of its films, and Vaikunth adds on to this with a unique balance of gloom and hope, peppered with unpredictability. We, as a team are humbled and honored to bring this story as part of this anthology and we hope that it stays with the audience for a long time.”