The sound of water dripping fills the air while a young boy is seen ingesting something wrapped in a piece of newspaper without any water. He peeks outside the door; seemingly to check if anyone is around. The next moment he turns his back to us, unzips his pants, sits on the ground, and begins. Within the next few seconds, uncontrollable wailing joins in the sound of the water. The climax, which he evidently is yearning to achieve, seems distant. 

The series of events do not seem to make sense but sets the foreground for the film to evolve flawlessly. Jaggi, based on the name of the film’s central character, a 114-minute Punjabi film, currently streaming on Mubi, is a vehement dive into toxic masculinity. 

It unfolds in a village in Punjab where an adolescent Jaggi finds himself a part of discussions. Boys in his class discuss every possible topic that their 8th class Biology textbooks fail to answer. The discussions very early also become personal, leaving Jaggi a little out of place. New to these experiences with nobody around to guide, he begins exploring his body but erectile dysfunction being a normal condition isn’t knowledge that young adult boys are made aware of in their formative years. 

When an innocent Jaggi shares this realization with a friend, he unknowingly triggers a series of haunting incidents and the classroom transforms into a torture chamber for the next few years. Unavailable parents further make it difficult for this boy to seek help. He is branded as a “homo, gay, tranny”; boys in the school keep asking him for sexual favors; some even force him, or rape him. 

The film follows Jaggi’s life over the course of the next few years and maps difficult terrains of societal conditioning and abuse. The film is thus anything but an easy watch except despite grim overtones, the film keeps you gripped to your seats. It lays bare a story of abuse that is set in a local place except is universal in nature. Jaggi is all about what happens behind closed doors, within four walls, under the veils we wear. It also showcases a different side of Punjab. Political commentary is implicit in the narrative of the film. Director Anmol Sidhu just doesn’t tell but also shows. The film is difficult to watch, even more difficult to forget—but an important tale of its time. 

What I love the most about Jaggi is that it is visibly something that has been made by a group of passionate artists. The lead actor Ramnish Chaudhary delivers a groundbreaking performance, Sidhu’s gaze and his vision is striking and spot-on. Jaggi is an earnest attempt at filmmaking that prioritizes performances and storytelling, two ingredients of a good film. There is a great degree of smoothness with which the actors perform on screen. Every move has some meaning to make, which adds layers to this film. In one particular moment, the camera noticeably loses focus, yet the powerful performances and compelling narrative carry enough weight to overlook these technical hiccups.

The film is crafted with a genuine sense of passion, evident throughout. Crucially, it offers a narrative distinct from the typical tales emerging from Punjab’s heartland, steering clear of well-worn tropes. Sidhu, with remarkable power, shares a story close to his heart, one he’s determined to tell authentically.

It’s akin to a theatrical spectacle unfolding right before your eyes on the screen.

Review Courtesy of Anjani Chadha

Feature Image Credit to Anmol Sidhu