When someone slips into dementia, that person’s life transforms entirely. Caring for a person can be a daunting task sometimes but nurturing the right attitude can make the situation better. For that, proper awareness is required. That is the intention behind the screening of the movie – ASTU: So be it— to be held at JT Pac, Tripunithura, on Sunday.
Directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar, the movie narrates the story of Dr Chakrapani Shastri, former director of Oriental Research Institute in Pune who leads a solitary life after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. On way to his daughter Ira's (Iravati Harshe) house, Shastri goes missing after he follows an elephant and reaches the mahout's house in the process. Ira comes back and finds her father missing from the car. As Shastri cannot recall anything, the mahout too is helpless. Shastri seeks refuge in the Sanskrit verses that he keeps chanting and his bond with Lakshmi, the elephant, and the mahout's wife Chanamma (Amruta Subhash) - whom he refers to as his mother.
The film is much more than just about Alzheimer’s. It is a scholar's struggle to recall his memories, a daughter's struggle to find her missing father and her recollection of happier times, the scholar's bond with the elephant and his affection towards Chanamma. The depiction of Shastri's state of mind is as realistic as it can get.
Directors Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar are well-known names in the genre of realistic cinema and have films like Dahavi Pha and Devrai to their credit. With Astu, they have struck gold again.
In between the movie, there will be an opportunity to interact with the producer-cum-actor - Dr. Mohan Agashe. The screening will begin at 3 pm and go on till 6 pm. Entry is free.
