A Decent Arrangement

A Decent Arrangement is a 2011 film that builds on a delightful fusion of themes and motifs from both Western and Eastern cultures, cleverly expressed through a compelling narrative about understanding, intricate family relations, and an exploration of love and identity.

Directed by Sarovar Banka, the film primarily features Shabana Azmi, Diksha Basu, and Adhir Bhat amongst a talented and diverse ensemble cast of Indian and Western actors. Shabana Azmi, a heavyweight of Indian cinema, takes on the integral role of the maternal figure in the film, resonating with viewers and pulling on the heartstrings with her portrayal of cultural complexity and nuance. Meanwhile, Diksha Basu shines with her charming portrayal of a young Indian woman grappling with the expectations of her traditional Indian family and the modern world's ideal of love and marriage.

In A Decent Arrangement, the central protagonist is Ashok Khosla (played by Adam Laupus), an American copywriter of Indian descent who journeys across continents to India. The movie trail-blazes an engaging pathway into the dynamics of the Indian arranged marriage tradition, as experienced personally by Ashok, the Indo-American bachelor. The film questions the idea of arranged marriages in modern Indian culture, with Ashok finding himself uncertain and out of step with the expectations and pressures associated with marriage.

As Ashok navigates the uncharted and often bewildering landscape of arranged matrimony, he meets Amita (Diksha Basu). The resulting relationship forms the crux of the narrative, highlighting the peculiarities, paradoxes, and, ultimately, the promise of two diverse cultures converging. It further underscores the construction of identity through personal experiences, the search for a home, and the face of love in the 21st Century.

Shabana Azmi delivers an exceptional performance as the no-nonsense, sophisticated Aunt Preeti - a figure that holds everything together. She impeccably displays the struggles and emotional baggage of being an Indian woman in a predominantly patriarchal society, grappling with modernity and tradition simultaneously.

Adding to the storyline's complexity are Adhir Bhat and Farid Currim, who play Ashok's cousin and father, respectively. Bhat provides comic relief, highlighting the cultural gap between the Indian and American characters in humorous instances that are both enlightening and entertaining. Currim, as Ashok's father, represents traditional India and provides the perfect contrast to Ashok's dilemma-ridden, exploration-fueled character arc as he tries to balance his American upbringing and Indian roots.

The film is layered with moments of contemplation, humor, culture clash, and replete with characters who are strikingly believable and relatable. Beyond the main characters, the supporting cast does an impeccable job of illustrating rural and urban India and its many faces – its tradition-bound conservatism, its up-and-coming millennials, and its bridging generation that tries to balance both worlds.

On a technical level, the film doesn't fail to impress either. Sarovar Banka ensures that the film embraces a unique cinematic language to narrate this transcultural story. The backdrop of India is beautifully captured, with its vivid hues, bustling streets, serene landscapes, and intricate, ancient architecture acting as a silent character of its own in the film - symbolizing tradition, change, contradiction, and growth.

The soundscape of the film, punctuated by the incredibly curated music, plays a significant role in driving the narrative. It subtly hints at the prevailing emotions and adds depth to critical scenes. From traditional Indian folksy tunes to contemporary Western melodies, the soundtrack adds cultural texture to the movie.

At its core, A Decent Arrangement is an intimate and honest look at the cross-cultural negotiation of relationships. It prompts viewers to rethink rigid cultural norms and western perceptions of arranged marriages while presenting the possibility of a path halfway – one that allows for choice, chance, respect, and intentional love to coexist.

Delicately nuanced and brilliantly portrayed, A Decent Arrangement is a love story of a different kind. It's a film that lends new, fresh perspectives to an old, very much alive tradition, and faithfully mirrors the inevitable collision of tradition and modernity in myriad aspects of human relationships.