Name: Ankahi Kahaniya
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 2021-09-17T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Kunal Kapoor, Zoya Hussain, Abhishek Banerjee, Rinku Rajguru, Delzad Hiwale

The opening shot of “Ankahi Kahaniya” is a stark contrast: the neon glow of Mumbai’s nightlife against the isolated figures wandering its streets. This visual dichotomy sets the stage for an anthology that tries to capture the essence of urban loneliness through three disparate stories.

Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, Saket Chaudhary, and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, “Ankahi Kahaniya” is a Netflix film that weaves together tales of love, loss, and longing in India’s bustling cities. The cast, including Kunal Kapoor, Zoya Hussain, Abhishek Banerjee, and Rinku Rajguru, brings a range of performances to the screen.

What works best in “Ankahi Kahaniya” is its commitment to exploring unconventional love stories. The first segment, directed by Tiwari, stands out with its raw emotional intensity. Abhishek Banerjee delivers a powerful performance as a salesperson grappling with infidelity and the complexities of rural-urban life. The scene where he confronts his wife (TJ Bhanu) is particularly striking, capturing the anguish and desperation of betrayal.

The second segment, directed by Chaubery, revolves around Kunal Kapoor as Manav, a man dealing with his wife’s infidelity. Zoya Hussain’s portrayal is nuanced, adding layers to the narrative. The film’s exploration of infidelity and its aftermath is compelling, even if the pacing feels uneven at times.

However, the anthology falters in its third segment, directed by Chaudhary. While Rinku Rajguru and Delzad Hiwale have their moments, the story lacks the emotional depth and cohesion of the previous two segments. The transitions between stories are jarring, and the overall structure feels disjointed.

The film’s cinematography is a highlight, with each segment offering visually distinct palettes that reflect the moods of the characters. The sound design also deserves mention, particularly in the first segment, where the use of silence amplifies the emotional weight of key scenes.

“Ankahi Kahaniya” aims to capture the essence of urban loneliness and the unconventional ways people seek connection.

Tags: Netflix, Abhishek Banerjee, Ankahi Kahaniya, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Kunal Kapoor, Saket Chaudhary