“Aage to poori zindagi padi hai Dhruv, aasey bhagega to phir bhagta hi rahega, apne aap se bhi (You have your whole life ahead of you, Dhruv. If you run like this, you will keep running forever, even from yourself).”
Manoj Bajpayee’s convincing character of a father who gives up his life to fulfil his promise is heart-wrenching and inspiring. A ‘man of his words’, he manages to make a point which we all must heed to. “Rukh” is a brilliant piece of cinema made by Drishyam Films Ltd. and Indian audiences needs such cinema today more than ever. In a subtle way, this movie offers an insight into life which is missing from our conscience in the current cultural context.
The character of Dhruv, the film’s protagonist, is torn between two worlds ripping apart. Unable to cope with his father’s accidental death, he follows a quest that makes him question his beliefs. He is left to face with harsher truths of life and he must deal with them on his own. The film teaches us the importance of forgiveness, of being able to move on with life. It tells us that there is always a second chance and that the meaning of our lives is defined by what we choose to offer to the world.
There are two contrasting characters – one of a greedy businessman who makes a deal with the evil and eventually has to pay the price, the other is that of an honest, well-meaning guy who takes the most drastic step in order to save his honour and his stand on truth. The story also shows how these distinctions are often blurred in times of test. In the end, however, what matters is that we must learn to embrace reality and to proceed with life. The title song “Khidki” is poetry that touches you and leaves you with a lot to ponder upon.
“Dekho ek taraf hai subah ho chali
Par andar abhi bhi raatein na dhali
Ab dhul chatak ke bhul ja na bisri
Rukh mod de ab toh khol de zindagi
Ho Ab khul ja re, khul ja re
Khul bhi ja na khidki
O re khidki…”