Daayen Ya Baayen (2010)

I don't even know how to write about this movie, where to begin, where to end. All I know is that it felt so fucking good to finally see authentic representation of Uttarakhand and its people in a Hindi film. This sentence feels like such a weird understatement- I was ecstatic while watching the film, to the point where I actually burst into tears when some characters sounded exactly like members of my extended family. Those characters weren't even saying anything serious or sad, they were joking around, but that accent and that very, very typical pahadi sense of humour just got to me and I couldn't stop my tears. Bela Negi has left no stone unturned in ensuring that the mountains and its people are represented truthfully, in all their tragicomic (mostly comic) glory. It's what my soul yearns for- thank you Ms Negi for satisfying that yearning the way you did. 

In conclusion, I cannot recommend this movie enough, especially to fellow Pahadis. And also to anyone who has ever appreciated Deepak Dobriyal or Manav Kaul. Go get this warm hug (accompanied with a biting, scathing commentary) right now!!

PS- I almost didn't want to finish this movie because I don't think anything like this exists. Ugh.

PPS- I don't think any word in all the languages in all the world can make me instantly emotional like "Ija" can. Great, now I'm crying again. Bye, for real. 

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