‘Shades of (Baby) Pink’ Movie Review: A Heartwarming Take on Love and Desire
Yashbasin Madala in ‘Shades of (Baby) Pink’ Photo credit: Special Arrangements
(Baby) Shades of pinkA 32-minute Telugu film streaming on ETV Win, it is simultaneously personal and universal in how it depicts the theme of love and longing between parents and children across generations. Written and directed by data scientist Neelima Gudavalli, it takes a measured approach to portray emotional complexities without being too melodramatic. The film gives equal respect to all its main characters and never judges them by their career choices that require long-distance family ties. As it happens, many young parents are saddled with considerable guilt about their choices.
The story is simple. A couple (Krishna Manjusha and Suchith) working in the US are on a short visit to India and when they leave, it’s not easy for their five-year-old son who is in the care of his grandparents. The child shares an easy relationship with the grandparents, but can they fill the void left by the mother? Top angle shot of a child (cinematographer Nimish Ravi) sleeping with his grandparents, only to wake up at night to go to his parents’ house, bond with his parents and bond with the child.
(Baby) Pink Color (Telugu)
Director: Neelima Gudavalli Cast: Krishna Manjusha, Jayalalitha, Yashvasin Madala
Storyline: A five-year-old uses her emotional intelligence to bridge the gap between her and her parents
Format: Short Film (32 minutes)
Streaming on: ETV Win
Later in the film, a world map is used as a tool to explain the distance that separates the boy from his parents. When the child processes information in his own way to bridge the gap, his emotional intelligence comes into play. Child actor Yashbasin Madala brings the necessary warm fuzziness and vulnerability to his part. Srinivas Bagireddy and Jayalalitha as the grandparents are adequate in their sympathetic portrayals. A scene showing Krishna Manjusha in a video call shows how he calmly, tear-filled eyes, understands the child’s plight. The film also makes a subtle comment on how elders yearn for their families.
(Baby) Shades of pink Won awards at a handful of national and international film festivals, notably Best Drama and Best Debut Director (2021) at the Cannes Shorts category, Special Mention at the 12th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival 2022 and Best Child Actor at the 10th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival, among others. The film was also screened at BISFF (Bangalore International Short Film Festival) and Chicago International Indie Film Festival.
