8 AM Metro Movie Review: Saiyami Kher, Gulshan Deviah’s film is a poetic ode to Bollywood

By Grace Cyril: Two married strangers meet in a metro in Hyderabad. It could either be love or murder in a cliche Bollywood scenario. However, in Raj Rachakonda’s film 8 A.M. Metro, they develop an unlikely friendship. Throughout the movie, the two strangers share jokes, confess their deepest fears and dish out wonderful poetry. What makes it relatable is the fact that both Saiyami Kher and Gulshan Deviah’s characters are middle-class people who have achieved nothing extraordinary in life and are, in fact, struggling to survive. These ‘hurting’ friends help each other heal. 8 A.M. Metro opens discussions around mental health and like most films tackling this subject, it is imperfect. However, its heart seems to be in the right place.

“Sab kuch hone ke baad bhi hum bahar kyu khushiya dhundte hai (Why do we look for happiness outside when we have everything?),” says Saiyami’s Iravati, a timid Maharashtrian middle-class homemaker. Her husband gives her no attention and her time is consumed by her kids. If anything, she feels choked with her household scenario and vents it out by writing poetry. Flashback shows how the train causes Ira severe panic attacks. So, when she has to travel by one to meet her pregnant sister, she is traumatised. During one of her episodes of panic attacks, she meets a banker named Pritam, played by Gulshan Deviah. He helps her reach her destination every day at 8 am. Soon, an unlikely friendship blossoms between them which is neither love nor attraction. The two seek solace in books, poetry, and filter coffee.

8 A.M. Metro is bipolar! It swings between passionate highs and painful lows that are intentional. When most of us are struggling with mental health, we often say ‘It’s all under control’ and try to move on. The thing is, it isn’t, not by a long shot. And it’s perfectly alright to ask for help. Raj Rachakonda has perfectly tried to strike up a conversation on this in 8 A.M. Metro. The film will coo your ears with Gulzar’s poetry.

In this suffocated humdrum of life, 8 A.M. Metro is a film that is filled with literature, and lessons on life. It takes a subtle dig at how society looks at mental health. When Iravati gets a panic attack, she is asked to ‘be strong’ and ‘get over it’. Watch out for the scene where Ira tells Pritam about how her friends and family respond when she gets anxious. 8 A.M. Metro also deals with social anxiety that many have, but won’t seek help for the same. Like Pritam helped Ira with her panic attacks, she helps him deal with his social awkwardness. The way they are empathetic towards each other will win your hearts. These two are as normal as any of us.

Here’s the trailer:

8 A.M. Metro also deals with the subject of suicide sensitively and beautifully. There’s a scene where Iravati and Pritam hang out near a lake where a board warns against suicide. Pritam jokes, ‘Agar ye board nahi hota to mai aj yaha kood hi jata (If this board wasn’t here, I would’ve jumped in the pool today).’ While this will make you laugh, Iravati’s answer is quite heart-touching. She says, “Lekin agar isse ek ki bhi jaan bach jaye, vo kaafi hai (But if it saves even one life, it’s enough).” This opens a discussion on suicide.

Saiyami as Iravati is very relatable. She writes poetry in an old diary over cups of filtered coffee. Her coy nature, the way she recites Gulzar’s poetry, and how she weighs in each word seems soothing to watch. Gulshan, meanwhile, brings a charm to his character that no one else could have. He is socially awkward and seeks solace in books. His role has a major twist in the end that will make your heart cry for him. Both actors bring a humane side to their roles that bring the focus back on the content.

It also makes you wonder if two people of the opposite sex, with kids and spouses, can be friends. Can’t they be acquaintances who lend an ear to each other? Why should society judge them?

Any number of awards wouldn’t be enough for director and writer Raj Rachakonda and co-writer Shruti Bhatnagar. Each of the dialogues has been beautifully written in a no-nonsense way. Even in tense moments, they have added a touch of humour to balance it. There’s a guy who does Zoom meetings in the metro and a youth who keeps falling asleep on another man’s shoulder. The film is littered with relatable scenes one would usually find in a metro. The climax is a pure treat, you won’t be even expecting it.

The film had a few drawbacks too. It dips in the second half and drags a bit towards the end. Considering the screenplay, perhaps it’s made for an OTT release. While the poetic quality of the film is its USP, too much of anything gets boring, at times irritating. The pacing of 8 A.M. Metro is a problem as well.

8 A.M isn’t just a movie, it is a group therapy session. It extends an arm to you for a warm hug and leaves your heart light as you step out of the theatre. There is a tale of Franz Kafka’s missing doll – it acts as the perfect ending. 8 A.M Metro is a film that could heal a part of you.

3.5 stars out of 5 for 8 A.M. Metro.