Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate

Released in 2018, Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate is an Indian, Marathi-language drama film creatively spun under the brilliant direction of Girish Vishvanath. This coming-of-age film is powered by the acting talents of Kshitij Deshpande, Radhika Deshpande, and Ravi Kale. The intricate narrative strives to weave a balance between the charm of light-heartedness and the gravity of societal issues.

Set against an everyday backdrop, the plot delves into the life of a little boy and his innocent exploration of the world around him. Kshitij Deshpande - with his heart-tugging portrayal of a nine-year-old Praful - is the proverbial cherry on the top of this flavorful cinematic cake. Praful's character, although young, carries the weight of the film on his little shoulders. In the midst of the tale's simplicity, his character is injected with innocence and charm that brings a tender ambiance to the storyline.

Radhika Deshpande and Ravi Kale play the boy's parents with nuanced empathy. They both pour their heart into their characters, painting a striking portrait of the highs and lows of parenthood. The dilemmas they face and the choices they make form the crux of this deliciously complicated mix of Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate.

The narrative unveils layers of Praful’s character as he goes about his regular routine – school, playtime, and family interactions. In the background, the audience is privy to the adult drama and its complexities. Praful's idiosyncrasies, like the unusual interest in his schoolmate's tiffin, are wonderfully portrayed. While seemingly insignificant, these elements drive the narrative, shedding light on larger societal issues impacting children like Praful.

Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate is a simple but evocative tale that explores crucial societal issues through a child's whimsical lens. It juggles various themes, concentrating primarily on the one that questions our educational system's structure while reflecting upon the impact society and the parents’ concern for social image have on molding a child's personality and interests.

Director Girish Vishvanath's unique story-telling style does justice to the subtle and sensitive script. Each scene draws the audience into a world colored with the innocent wonder of a child, the hardships of parenting, and the societal pressures, forming a moving juxtaposition of childlike novelty and adult realities. This beautiful interplay effectively addresses the movie's underlying themes with poignancy and pizazz.

The script is complemented by a remarkable musical score that perfectly syncs with the storyline's mood, significantly enhancing the overall cinematic experience. Apart from the wonderful performances and artful direction, the film also thrives on its technical aspects. The cinematography beautifully captures the love and warmth prevalent in the protagonist's world while bringing out the grim somberness when required.

Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate is also an aesthetically pleasing blend of emotions expressed through deliberate color palettes used to set the mood of various scenes. These factors work together to create a multi-dimensional viewing experience that leaves a lasting impression and successfully conveys the director's intended message.

Throughout its length and breadth, Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate is a heartfelt narrative that carefully explores the pressures, expectations, and understandings between children and parents. While the title makes one think of ice-creams, a central element in the storyline, the film is far more exhaustive, touching upon varied significant aspects of our society. The movie is a testament to the fact that anyone who makes an effort to listen can learn life's most profound lessons from the innocent chatterbox that is a child.

Viswanath's Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate is a melange of laughter, heart-break, nostalgia, and sobering revelations, which creates an engaging, eye-opening, and thought-provoking cinematic experience. This movie is a reminder that sometimes it's the simplest stories that have the deepest meanings and the most powerful impacts. It shines in boldly shedding light on complex societal issues through the pure and untainted eyes of a child. It is a film worth viewing for its simplicity, its depth, and most importantly, its authenticity.