Habji Gabji Movie Review : A no-frills, socially relevant drama

Children can be stubborn. And they can befuddle the smartest adults. The title of the film is a clever take on the wildly popular PubG and the Bengali word for the gibberish that both adults and children sometimes use to define a muddled state of affairs. The film wastes no time in establishing the issue it wants to deal with - children's addiction to gaming and devices. But the screenplay meanders, rather than flows, from one scene to another, at times missing some of the crucial other bits in the narrative.
It shows a 10-year-old kid, Tipu, addicted to online gaming. His parents, though loving and caring, are always at the receiving end of the child's brattish behaviour. Whether it's a child psychologist's suggestion, a doctor friend's guidance, or a harrowing police interrogation, the parents' only folly seems to be their ambition. One misses a nuanced and well-argued take on how ambitious parents need not always be painted in such broad-brush strokes.
Yet, the scenes seldom establish their high-flying jobs or show extreme work pressure. On the contrary, they get time to wine, dine and gossip at parties. This leaves little room for the audience to sympathise with their erratic work schedules. Rather, they appear careless. Even irresponsible. Also, the message sent out to young parents seems a bit out of tune. The film seems to suggest it is a bad idea to want to make more money or enjoy some time off. And the most useful palmtop devices, mobile phones, are the villains in the story.
Childrens' addiction to online gaming has been a major challenge for parents. But frequent references to technology as a troublemaker appear unconvincing, and even laughable at some points. But the good old days of physical games are rightly evoked and well placed as a counter to digital dependance.
The effortless acting by the lead (Parambrata and Subhashree) add to the high points of the film. Parambrata appears more of a chilled-out father with tempers flying now and then, Subhashree's constant worry about her son, accommodating nature and being the less of a phone addict, make her character more affable. At the same time, it draws attention to the stereotypical etching of gender roles. Just as parents are supposed to be all sacrificing.
The two kids in the film, Samantak Dyuti and Osh, are surprisingly mature. Samantak's angst as Tipu, his eerie gaze on the gaming screen, his impish grin at spotting his 'enemy' - are chillingly real. Osh had little scope but the scene where he kills time alone at home waiting for his parents to return is as well-enacted and visualised. The scene, detailed with the child's activities, screams boredom.
Another plus point is the styling and makeup. In sync with the story, when the couple upgrades their lives, their physical appearance undergoes a slick transformation as well.
The film is a drama with some elements of a thriller to keep you engaged. Editing is taut and the lyrics simple and suitable. But the best part is the intent to make a no-frills, socially relevant film.