Vihir (The Well) by Umesh Kulkarni has absolute control of a difficult subject, adolescents coping with death. But he does this in a philosophical yet accessible manner, which accounts for its deservingly huge appeal and acclaim worldwide. Second feature by Kulkarni, the film is solidly rooted in rural India and you can smell the earth. The story is of two adolescent boys Sameer and Nachiket, who are cousins and best friends. When Nachiket dies, apparently in a swimming
accident, Sameer is inconsolable, until he eventually reconciles to it, and senses that perhaps Nachiket has not gone away after all. The director was inspired by an autobiographical incident, and the screenplay and mise-en-scene are meticulous and convincing in their details. The cinematography is powerfully evocative. Young adults have loved the film as well. A confident young Indian voice, in Marathi, the film has been produced by Amitabh Bachchan Corp Ltd (ABCL), Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s production house—a very welcome trend.
Monday 15 August, 9.30 pm, Rialto 
Wednesday 17 August, 7.00 pm, Rialto
