Clip 1: Brainless (27:07 - 34:42, length: 7:35 minutes)

This clip gives a sense of the relationship between the filmmaker’s parents, Maneesha and Atul.

Maneesha is tasked with solving a silly problem and then criticized by her husband for the way she solves it. She complies to avoid argument, and both laughs and cries at the absurdity of the situation. Atul avoids taking responsibility and Maneesha, who is college-educated, is left feeling exhausted and “brainless.”

You’ll want to note for students that they aren’t seeing the entirety of the relationship. The film also shows scenes depicting loving parts of the marriage, but this scene is not atypical.

🏴PLEASE NOTE: In this clip, Atul swears twice. If this is a problem, do the lesson without showing this clip.

Clip 2: Time Alone (47:07 - 49:19, length: 2:12 minutes)

Maneesha describes how she carves out time for herself, despite all the distractions of family. This scene is the closest parallel to Virginia Woolf’s want of “a room of one’s own.”

Clip 3: Maneesha the Writer (1:12:50 - 1:21:05, length: 8:15 minutes)

We see three generations representing different possibilities for women’s lives. Maneesha shares the story she is writing.

The scene begins with a shot of the filmmaker’s grandmother. She is recently widowed—pay attention to how the film uses visuals to demonstrate her status. Then we see the marriage of the filmmaker’s brother—a couple full of young love and hope for the future (and equality?). Finally, we hear from Maneesha. This is the writing she shares:

Why do people fight? Loud noises and screaming scare me. I never understand what to do. Sometimes I don't even understand the problem.

There was this strange tension for a while and then everyone and everything went back to normal in the house. I went and sat at the edge of the well. Yet I could not understand how to deal with the chaos in my mind. My opinion is never asked. Most people think I can't speak. That's how little I talk. So, no one has ever questioned my silence.

Only I exist in my world. But there was always this other 'me' lurking around me amongst a web of relationships this 'me' creates. True to self, true to its relationship with self, echoing, "Yes, you are the best." That is the real me.

As I peek over my terrace, I watch this other me standing by the door calling out to me. I can see it, flying with the birds soaring above me. Two sides of me, one tied down, one set free.

Oh, what a beautiful butterfly! It's tiny, it's yellow. These tiny wings flapping, takes my breath away. Feels like the yellow is opening and closing around me, clearing the chaos in my mind. Is there a sound to these flapping wings? A sound I cannot hear I only have an understanding of the sounds I know.

Yet I know there is something beyond that, something I cannot hear, smell or see. But it's there —it's felt. Will I ever sense it? There is no relation between this butterfly and me, and still, it brings me happiness. Why do people behave differently? Will I ever find someone who will love me purely, a nameless love like Radha-Krishna?