Hello folks! Today, I want to talk about a movie released in 2023 that quietly slipped. The film is "Three of Us," and it tells the story of a woman who decides to revisit her past before her memories fade away forever.
If you haven't seen it yet, or if you want to understand the deeper layers of this beautiful narrative, stay with me as I explain the story and the emotions behind it.
The Journey Back to the Beginning
The movie introduces us to Shailaja, portrayed brilliantly by Shefali Shah. She works in the divorce department of a family court but is now leaving her job. She lives with her husband, Dipankar, an insurance agent, while their son Bharat is away for his studies. Shailaja is suffering from a condition where she frequently forgets things.
To cope, she writes everything down in a diary. One day, out of the blue, she tells Dipankar that she wants to visit Vengurla, a small town where she studied from the fifth to the eighth grade. She feels an urgent need to see it again because, with her condition, she doesn't know what the future holds.
Supportive as ever, Dipankar agrees, and they set off on this journey. Upon reaching Vengurla and settling into a hotel, they visit her old school. Shailaja sees a name on a board, Pradeep Kamat, and asks about him, but gets no leads initially. However, fate has its ways. On the road, she bumps into her childhood friend, Gauri.
Reconnecting with Lost Threads
The reunion with Gauri is lovely. They sit in Gauri's house, reminiscing about school days and sharing updates on their lives. It is here that Shailaja learns that Pradeep is now a bank manager in the same town. Without wasting time, she heads straight to the bank.
When Pradeep, played by the talented Jaideep Ahlawat, sees Shailaja, he is stunned. The surprise and joy on his face are visible. It has been 28 years since they last saw each other. They sit together with Dipankar, who, sensing the need for them to catch up, makes a polite excuse about work and leaves them alone.
Their conversation is awkward at first, with Pradeep using formal language, but Shailaja quickly breaks the ice, reminding him of their childhood intimacy. They talk about their lives, their jobs, and the feeling that their school days belong to a past life.
Old Classrooms and New Realities
Together with Gauri, Shailaja and Pradeep visit their old classroom. They sit at their old desks, reliving the mischief, the studies, and the innocent moments they shared. Pradeep opens up about his own family; he has a wife named Sarika and two daughters. He eventually tells Sarika about Shailaja’s visit.
He mentions how surprised he is that she returned after 28 years. Sarika, displaying incredible maturity, encourages him to spend time with her and show her around, jokingly adding that she expects a "bribe" or gift in return for this permission. The next day, Shailaja visits her old childhood home with them. Memories come flooding back,nhappy ones at first.
But as she reaches the well behind the house, her expression changes from joy to sadness. It hints at a traumatic memory associated with that place. Later, they visit their English teacher and her daughter, Rupali. They discuss an old local legend about a "witch" by the sea, debating whether she was real or just a myth to scare children.
The Poem of Origin
A beautiful moment occurs when Pradeep recites a poem he is writing titled "Udgam," meaning "Origin." He explains the concept: just as ripples in a pond have a source, our memories and emotions have an origin. Sarika teases him, suggesting that meeting Shailaja was the "origin" of this sudden burst of poetry.
Pradeep admits that meeting everyone after so many years took his mind back to a starting point. Dipankar later asks Shailaja why she never told him about these friends. She simply says it wasn't intentional; life just happened. She tells him that she is there to find the Shailaja she used to be, a version of herself that seems elusive even when it's right in front of her.
Confronting the Ghosts of the Past
She visits a Kathak dance class, reconnecting with her love for dance, but suddenly hides in fear, confusing Pradeep. Later, she opens up about her son studying at IIT, which prompts Pradeep to share his own painful past.
He reveals his father was abusive and abandoned the family, shattering Pradeep's dreams of going to IIT. He speaks of the anger and the lingering hope that his father might return just so he could confront him. The narrative takes a darker turn when Shailaja visits the old woman by the sea again.
We learn the truth about the well. As a child, Shailaja and her sister Vinu were playing. In a competitive moment, Shailaja pulled a rope too hard, causing it to slip from her hands. Vinu fell into the well and died. This accident has haunted Shailaja her entire life, filling her with guilt.
Ending Explained: The Ferris Wheel and Closure
The emotional climax happens at a local fair. Shailaja wants to ride the giant Ferris wheel. Pradeep joins her, despite his fear of heights. When the wheel stops at the top, they have a heart-to-heart. Shailaja confesses she doesn't remember the last time they were there because, after Vinu's accident, her family left town quietly.
Pradeep apologizes for not realizing it was their last meeting back then. They share a moment of pure honesty, laughing and crying simultaneously. It’s the closure they both needed. They acknowledge that while they cannot be together, the bond they shared was real and valid.
In the end, Pradeep gives Sarika a shawl he embroidered, jokingly calling it her "bribe." It shows that while Shailaja was his first love, Sarika is his life partner. Dipankar, too, shows immense understanding, comforting Shailaja as she visits the well one last time to perhaps finally forgive herself.
Final Thoughts
"Three of Us" is a masterclass in storytelling. It reminds us that life is unpredictable. Shailaja’s dementia serves as a ticking clock, urging us to cherish our memories and our loved ones while we can. The film doesn't rely on heavy drama but on silence and subtle expressions.
The maturity shown by the spouses, Sarika and Dipankar, is commendable. Instead of jealousy, they offer support, understanding that this journey was necessary for their partners. It is a film about love in its purest, most complex form, not just romantic love, but the love for one's past and the acceptance of one's present.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main storyline of the movie "Three of Us"?
The story revolves around Shailaja, a woman diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Before her memories fade completely, she decides to visit her childhood town of Vengurla. She wants to revisit her roots, her "origin," and reconnect with the places and people from her past, including her childhood sweetheart, Pradeep.
What tragedy happened to Shailaja's sister, Vinu?
In a heartbreaking reveal towards the end of the film, we learn that Shailaja carries immense guilt over her sister's death. As children, they were playing a game of tug-of-war near a well. Shailaja pulled the rope too hard, causing it to slip, and Vinu fell into the well and passed away. This traumatic event led her family to leave the town abruptly.
Do Pradeep and Shailaja end up together?
No, they do not. The movie is not about rekindling a romance in that way. It is about closure. Pradeep is happily married to Sarika, and Shailaja is with Dipankar. The film beautifully portrays a mature understanding where they acknowledge their past feelings but respect their current lives and partners.
Who are the main actors in "Three of Us"?
The film features a stellar cast known for their acting prowess. Shefali Shah plays the role of Shailaja, Jaideep Ahlawat plays her childhood friend Pradeep Kamat, and Swanand Kirkire plays her supportive husband, Dipankar. Their nuanced performances bring a deep emotional weight to the story.
