Bhagirathi Films and Mashakbeen Studios’ Pyre is the story of an aged couple who have waited for 28 years for their son to return to their home in a secluded place in the Himalayas. The couple receives a letter and that rekindles hope and stirs emotions which were long buried.
Vinod Kapri has written a very sensitive story about an old father and mother who’ve been waiting for their son to pay them a visit from the faraway city he had gone to. The wait has stretched for 28 long years but they haven’t still given up. One day, suddenly, a letter from their son excites them because it mentions that he would soon be with them. But that doesn’t happen. Even as their neighbours leave the mountainous region one by one, the old couple stay back, waiting longingly for their son. By its very nature, the story has an undercurrent of emotions. Kapri’s screenplay is slow-paced and repetitive but the inherent humour appeals to the audience. The banter between the old man and his aged wife makes for interesting viewing. However, since the drama does not have the usual masala of an entertainer, it becomes one with very, very limited appeal even if it is heartfelt. Vinod Kapri’s dialogues are sensitive.
Padam Singh Kapri impresses in his debut role as the very old Padam. Hira Devi is pretty endearing in her maiden acting assignment as Tulsi. Subhash Chandra lends decent support as Laxman. Shubham Chaudhary is impactful as Jeewan. Sadab Khan (as Bishan), Alok Verma (as Kesar), Gopal Nayal (as Kamala), Deewan Kanwal (as Bhopal), Jaya Shah (as Devki), Pushpa Pandey (as Janki) and the others lend lovely support.
Vinod Kapri’s direction is sensitive. Music (Mychael Danna, Saar Singhal and Aman Pant) is ear-pleasing. Gulzar’s lyrics are weighty. One song, Ghuguti na basaa, is penned by Alok Ranjan Srivastav; that is also good. Background music (Mychael Danna and Amritha Vaz) is quite effective. Manas Bhattacharya’s cinematography is excellent. Production designing (by Manas Bhattacharya, Vinod Kapri and Donna Bose) is appropriate. Editing (Subhajit Singha and Patricia Rommel) is sharp.
On the whole, Pyre is a sensitively made film but with almost nil chances at the box-office. In spite of critical acclaim, it will go largely unnoticed at the ticket windows.
Released on 30-10-’26 at Metro Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Cinepolis India. Publicity & opening: weak. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor everywhere.