3.5/5
Alpha Beta Gamma is a comedy of manners set in the times of COVID. Following the protocols of the Covid-19 pandemic, a woman, her estranged husband, and her lover find themselves confined to her flat for a 14-day quarantine period. What follows is a relationship hurricane. Chiranjeev (Amit Kumar Vashishth), isn’t mature enough to absorb that his wife Mitali (Reena Agarwal), has moved on during the two-year gap that they’ve been separated and has now set her heart towards marrying Raviraj (Nishan Nanaiah). His insecurities rise with each passing day. He begins to regret his decision of parting ways with someone who has been his childhood sweetheart. He begins to pine for her once more and wants her in his life again. His discontent seeps into both Mitali and Ravi as well. They begin fighting as a couple, and start questioning their commitment towards each other. The intrusion of a third person makes them explore their feelings for each other with a varied perspective. And makes them realise that they have to deal with the ugly along with the good.
Director Shankar Srikumar has infused his film with relevant questions about what relationships mean in modern times. Chiranjeev is a typical alpha male who becomes territorial when he sees his authority being threatened. Reena might have been attracted to his excessive masculinity when she was younger but separation from him has wisened her up and now she’s willingly choosing a beta male as a partner. Ravi is someone who considers her an equal, is sensitive to her emotional well-being and has much more empathy than her erstwhile partner. While both personalities have their merits and demerits, she isn’t a girl anymore and is more assured in her mind about what she wants.
Nothing looks forced or rehearsed in the film. The situations feel like they’ve arisen from an actual setting. The three players behave as if they’ve actually going through a forced quarantine. Their quarrels, angst, as well as the stories they share with each other seem like something carved from life. The dialogue reeks of real conversations. The film was shot amidst the pandemic with limited resources and that kind of works in the film’s favour. The sound design is raw and minimal, and gives the feel of something captured inside an actual apartment, rather than being recreated in a studio. The camerawork helps create the feeling of claustrophobia.
Reena Agarwal gives a poised performance as Mitali, holding your attention with her controlled portrayal of a woman torn between two types of love. Amit Kumar Vashishth confidently captures the essence of Chiranjeev, who suffers somewhat from a toxic masculinity and yet has a softness in him. Nishan Nanaiah’s performance is commendable. The actor has underplayed his character, letting the viewers root for the underdog.
Watch this indie film for its modern take on urban relationships. The story and the performances are up to the mark and offer something different than the usual fare.
Trailer : Alpha Beta Gamma
Abhishek Srivastava, March 8, 2024, 6:30 PM IST
3.5/5
Story: Following the Covid-19 pandemic, a woman, her estranged husband, and her soon-to-be-husband discover themselves confined in an apartment, sealed off for a 14-day quarantine period.
Review: ‘Alpha Beta Gamma’ explores an innovative theme set during the Covid-19 pandemic, where a woman, her estranged husband, and her soon-to-be-husband are confined in an apartment for 14 days. This premise offers immense creative possibilities for both the writer and the filmmaker and, fortunately, the film succeeds for the most part and remains engaging throughout. While labelled as a comedy, the humour in the film tends to be more situational than intentional. Though, with some additional effort to develop the male characters, the film could have been even more enjoyable.
The film opens as Chiranjeev (Amit Kumar Vashishth) makes the difficult decision to separate from his wife, Mitali (Reena Agarwal), despite her pleas to salvage their relationship. Fast forward two years, and we find them leading separate lives while maintaining a friendship. Mitali has found love with Raviraj (Nishan Nanaiah), whom she plans to marry, while Chiranjeev is focused on his upcoming film project. When Mitali requests a divorce to pursue her future with Raviraj, Chiranjeev, sensing the urgency, decides to visit her. His visit takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Mitali’s lover at her home and learns of a 14-day lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. What ensues for the three characters is a journey fraught with bitter truths and revelations.
Director Srikumar Shankar infuses the film with a modern and contemporary vibe, crafting situations that feel plausible within a couple’s dynamic. The dialogues ring true and relatable, adding authenticity to the narrative. Shankar introduces a fresh twist to the classic theme of triangular relationships, relying heavily on how characters respond to various situations. He manages to keep viewers engaged, navigating the complexities adeptly. However, the film falters in characterising its male leads. Chiranjeev, despite the separation, remains unchanged from his married self, lacking maturity and growth. Similarly, Raviraj’s portrayal lacks the expected bouts of anger and resentment toward Chiranjeev, making him seem too rational in matters of love, existing almost in a utopian state. These character discrepancies question their authenticity and depth.
The gradual onset of envy within Chiranjeev’s character following Raviraj and Mitali’s decision to be together, along with the bouts of jealousy that consume him, feels authentic. Similarly, the scenes where Chiranjeev attempts to steal moments to converse with Mitali after Raviraj becomes drunk are executed effectively. The theatrical tone present in the opening scene, where Mitali attempts to convince Chiranjeev to stay in the relationship, falls flat, but fortunately, the rest of the film isn’t affected by this flaw.
Reena Agarwal delivers a poised performance as Mitali, commanding the spotlight with her controlled portrayal. Amit Kumar Vashishth captures the essence of Chiranjeev with confidence, portraying myriad shades within the character. While Nishan Nanaiah’s performance is commendable, a touch of added energy would have enhanced his portrayal. ‘Alpha Beta Gamma’ stands as an indie film that thankfully doesn’t challenge its audience excessively, making it an interesting watch.
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