Film - Taangh (Longing)

As part of the Birmingham Indian Film Festival, The Electric Cinema.

My first film viewing at the newly reopened Electric cinema. I was so eager for someone to save and reopen the oldest cinema in the UK which happens to be on my doorstep and holds so many great memories I promised I would buy a membership if such a thing existed with a new owner. Simply, this was the first film I wanted to see since it came back so I find myself now with a silver membership.

For me, a little independent cinema needs to be full of independent films - we can see blockbusters anywhere. It fitted so well that not only is Taangh an independent film, it is made by a non-film-maker - they are an interior designer! - and is part of the Birmingham Indian Film Festival. It was lovely to be with my people enjoying my membership from the sofa seat at the back, with the filmmakers in attendance for a Q&A afterwards. It added to the magic of being back at the Electric.

The film itself is an enlightening documentary about the aforementioned interior designer, Bani Singh, dad and his friendship with 2 friends and how they all lost touch after the partition. Actually, it’s a film about them all being Olympian hockey players but really it’s about their friendship.

The story unfolded after dad Grahnandan Singh (Nandy) had a stroke and a friend, Shahrukh, a Muslim, whom he had never mentioned during his long event-filled life, came to light. Bani Singh felt she had to investigate and then tell the story of the champion her father was before she was born.

It was interesting to see she had to get a visa to visit Pakistan to meet Shahrukh, who now lives in Lahore, post-partition. Once again, as with every partition story, It’s horrid to think this was once one big happy country living in harmony. 

Also the peculiarity of three friends Amir, Keshav and Nandy being refugees when they came to Britain to play hockey for India for the Olympics. They’re former team mates, including  Shahrukh, now played for the less successful Pakistan team.

A year after the partition, India beat their colonisers to win gold. That must have been the sweetest victory for those moments, although sadly by this time, their former teammates, including Shahrukh, played for Pakistan.

I will be thinking of Nandy and his friends when I go to see the hockey this week as part of the Commonwealth games

8½/10

The Electric, July 2022