Writer-director Jeyabal J has a winner in Deepavali Bonus, an understated slice-of-life drama that follows a family of three in Madurai. The beauty of the film lies in its subtle exploration of the family’s struggle to survive in a small town in the city. The characters are grounded, and their problems and emotions feel real and relatable. This is as much a feel-good film as one with a real, refreshing feel to it. While some feel-good films tend to be laidback and aim for low-hanging fruit, that is not the case with Deepavali Bonus.
Director: Jeyabal J
Cast: Vikranth, Riythvika Panneerselvam, Harish The family occupies a place with an authentic, lived-in vibe
The film begins with the family occupying a place that feels authentic and lived-in. They live in a confined space and find contentment in experiencing the simple joys of life. With Diwali fast approaching, however, Ravi (Vikranth) and his wife Geetha (Riythvika Panneerselvam) are desperate to make enough money to celebrate the festival. Their plight reflects their modest lifestyle and Diwali aspirations. All the wife wants is a red helmet for her trips to work with her husband as a pillion rider. All their child Sachin Chandraboss (Harish) wants is a police shirt and a matching pair of shoes. And all Ravi wants is some money to be able to celebrate the festival however he can with his wife and child while also honouring their wishes.
In one key scene, Riythvika’s character tells Sachin Chandraboss that they named him so because she was a fan of Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi that of Subhas Chandra Bose. This sharing mentality also extends to the couple’s approach to living: he delivers parcels for a courier company, and she works as a domestic servant. Their earnings only go towards the family. They both win and lose something or the other in their efforts to accrue just enough funds for Diwali.
Geetha is more stubborn and optimistic when it comes to dealing with adversity. This mirrors her Paulo Coelho-esque notion: “When you want something, it will come to you,” she tells her child. It is the same idea that prompts her to tell her concerned spouse that he will get his bonus sooner rather than later. However, further delays in the bonus make him so desperate to earn some quick money that he finds himself in a precarious situation.
There is a subplot about workers staging a protest against the delay in their overdue bonus. There is another subplot about pilferage at a clothing factory, which seems to momentarily digress from the main story. The film never really explores these elements too deeply. Jeyabal does not raise the stakes any further, either. An untimely song serves as a speed bump, as does a scene in a jail that delivers a needless moral lesson with a story about a tiger, rabbit, and vulture. However, the filmmaker makes sure to bring the focus back from the tangential subplots to the main story and never let the film become too uneventful.
A lesser filmmaker would use some of the subplots to make every bit of theatre out of it with sentimental music. Jeyabal, however, shows plenty of restraint and slowly works his story into our hearts. He also derives earnest performances from his actors that never come across as excessively theatrical. Vikranth is measured as a man so desperate to give his family all the creature comforts they deserve. His vulnerability and empathy make him relatable to the audience. On the other hand, Riythvika plays a woman of great resilience and dignity who reminds her husband of the importance of smiling in the face of adversity. She is the perfect partner for him. Vikranth and Riythvika are a joy to watch on screen.
At the heart of Deepavali Bonus is a case for exploring the minor conflict of a family showing resilience to celebrate a traditional festival while living up to societal pressures. Sometimes, you wonder whether the struggle is really worth it for one day. But then again, you realise that life offers you something to savour even when the going gets tough, such as the opportunity to burst crackers or have Jigarthanda to your heart’s content on Diwali.