3BHK: Moving portrait of dreams, dignity and family strength that endures

India Today

21 hours ago

"Every ordinary family has an extraordinary story" - reads the title card of '3BHK'. And the same holds true for many films. Every ordinary story can become extraordinary in the right hands. Director Sri Ganesh, '3BHK', starring Siddharth, Sarathkumar, Devayani and Meetha Raghunath, is a heartfelt film, elevated by its writing and stand-out performances. The fact that all characters have their hearts in the right place makes you root for them. This is a film that will stay with me, like home, for a long time.advertisementThe story of '3BHK' is set in 2006 and follows a struggling middle-class family of four constantly moving from one rented house to another, each smaller and more compromised than the previous one. These homes often lack basic amenities. Some lack proper water connection, suffer from frequent power cuts, and have chipping and leaking walls - telling of their financial condition.But the film never romanticises these harsh realities, even for a second. What works in this film's favour is its refusal to milk emotions just for impact or manufactured drama. It feels tangible and believable. And that's where Sri Ganesh truly shines as a writer and a filmmaker.
The family wants a home of their own, a place they can call theirs. Like many traditional households, the parents pin all their hopes on Prabhu (Siddharth). They somehow manage to gather enough money to send him to a private school, but can only afford to enroll their daughter Aarthy (Meetha Raghunath) in a government school.This difference never seemed to bother Aarthy, the youngest in the family. She stands out for her rare emotional intelligence. There's no trace of resentment towards Prabhu for attending a better school. She selflessly offers to stay in a government school to ease the financial burden on her father (Sarathkumar). Meetha has played her role with quiet strength.Prabhu ends up carrying the crushing weight of his family's dream throughout his life. Setbacks bog him down at every turn. From mediocre exam scores and failed college placements to an unfulfilling job and meagre income. His journey is riddled with hurdles, each one chipping away his spirit. All these struggles may sound all too familiar and predictable, but it's the execution that truly makes the film win.There is a pinching point in the film when the family hits rock bottom - their entire house is flooded, in water and worries. And that makes you truly understand and feel their longing for a better home. A place they can genuinely call their own. For the family in '3BHK', a home isn't just a roof over their heads. It's a symbol of dignity and respect that they have long yearned for. As Vaudevan (Sarathkumar) poignantly says, 'an own home equals respect'.advertisementThe film gently reminds you that life is anything but easy, as one character puts it, especially for those striving to rise above hand-to-mouth survival. And yet, through all the hardship, one thing keeps them going - family strength. For example, there's a scene where Vasudevan, nearing retirement and having never used a computer or even touched a mouse, is told he must learn the accounting software Tally or lose his job within a month. I loved the way his family rallies around, giving him the moral support he needed to learn the software at his age and even clear an exam. And this support is consistent with all the characters throughout the film. The way all four of them trust and stand by each other through every storm makes you reflect on the quiet strength of a safe, loving home and the impact it has on your life.The film finds its heartbeat in those delicate moments of hope, when the family feels they're on the verge of achieving their dream, only to be set back by life's unexpected turns. And this cycle keeps happening throughout the film.There are few actors like Siddharth who consistently choose films out of a genuine love for acting - far from the shimmer and spectacle, closer to the soul. His choice of roles reflects that commitment. He is impressively convincing both as a 17-year-old and a 34-year-old, both in voice and appearance. Siddharth is a sincere actor and it shows.advertisementSarathkumar is fantastic as Vasudevan, a devoted family man whose only wish is to give his wife and children a better life. His scenes with Prabhu are deeply moving and genuine tear-jerkers. Devayani plays the role of a loving mother and a gentle wife. She flows with the character and plays it with sincerity. I just wish her character had a broader emotional range as her portrayal leans heavily on just teary expressions.The background score aptly complements each scene. In his debut, composer Amrit Ramnath brings a sense of restraint to the melody, never allowing it to slip into overt melancholy. His music blends seamlessly with the narrative and the entire album gains new meaning after experiencing the film, scene by scene. There is something honest about his music that elevates every scene.Yogi Babu's character brings in the laughs, as expected. I wish he stayed longer and had more screen time. That kind of light-hearted humour offers a much-needed balance in a film that's otherwise heavy with emotions. The kind of balance that turns a house into a home.- Ends