CHARACTERS IN PARALLEL

i. Character – Joker, Played by Joaquin Phoenix

Film – Joker (2019)

ii. ii. Character-Allauddin Khilji, played by Ranveer Singh

Film –Padmaavat (2018)

The thought behind this study was to capture the parallels between psychopaths from the biggest fiction films, set in two completely different periods, generations, and worlds of fantasy. While Padmavat is still discussed to have been a true or fiction story, Joker is the creation of the fantasy world of batman.

In the film, Joker, the joker was the sole protagonist as well as the antagonist of the story, whereas the film Padmavat was split between three main characters. From an audience’s perspective, the character of Alauddin Khilji absolutely stood apart and made the film what it is.

Through the journey of the films, we watch the characters rising from nothing to reaching the top, with powers of mobilizing, manipulation, and control over the crowd.

Alauddin Khilji rose from being a ruler’s man-at-work to becoming a ruler himself and Joker is an extraordinary story of an ordinary citizen in the city of Gotham. This was one of the most interesting studies in parallels as understanding audience reaction was difficult, considering the hardcore critic and fan following of both characters apart. What makes both characters so powerful is the passion behind their greed, betrayal, and the need to get what they want.

Through this study not only have I tried to capture their characteristics but also the portrayal of psyche in parallels. The characters are extremely different, yet their mannerisms, desires, and so much about their behavior are similar. While watching the films there is this feeling of claustrophobia in their presence yet a sense of freedom that only comes with immense power, the maniacal laugh that’s thriving with unabashed madness. They are fearless to start a war, to get what they want. What is even more interesting about the characters is that they carry the audience into a certain trance with their powerful acting and expressions that speak louder than words throughout the films.

“Amazing comparison of the rebellious role of society laid out in a modern and historic sense.

So many similarities yet in such different ways for their respective ordeals.

It's a comparison that doesn't come to mind just like that I must say yet very thoughtfully.”

II. Detective Loki (Prisoners 2013) played by Jake Gyllenhaal

and Raghavan (Raman Raghav 2.0, 2016) played by Vicky Kaushal

Two extremely interesting grey shade characters who singlehandedly keep the audience hooked to the screen from the beginning to the end of the films, making them question their every move, motive, and whether they fall on the good side or the bad. While the bad side of Raghav, who is a cop, comes to the light not too far into the film, it takes more than that to figure the character of Detective Loki. While there hasn’t been any direct scene that shows that Loki could fall into the bad side, theories talk about the drug abuse through the constantly blinking eyes, trembling hands, and occasional fits of anger and violence. On the other hand, Raghav was openly a drug buyer and user, abusing the position of power without remorse.

Both characters as well as the films are an underrated masterpiece, yet they are also absolutely loved by a different set of audience. Prisoners is critically acclaimed among cult classics

In the film, Detective Loki's personal life is a complete secret which leaves the audience with a lot of questions about the character and his behavior. While we get a glimpse into Raghavan's past that had led him to become the character he is, controlling father, a certain hint of abuse in the past and more unsaid.

To understand the audience’s perspective about the parallels, a friend, who is also a film enthusiast shared thoughts on the same.

”The storylines here naturally deal with the human psychic

But where one deals with the person who happens to be psychopathic and the other an investigative around a psychopathic's work, it's well intriguing how well you've picked the shots

Almost like two subsequent versions of the same thing playing out for different roles of course but abstract in a way, makes you think towards more thoughts from a parallel of perspectives carefully chosen.”

The films are edge-of-the-seat thriller dramas that encapsulate the audience from the beginning to the end, almost ending in question marks. Though both films are dark watch, can be disturbing for the sensitive audience, the actors’ performances take huge credit for the incredible feels of the films.

@india.in.cinema on Instagram is dedicated to the appreciation of art, aesthetics, and characters of cinema and colors. It is an effort to bring light to the little details of films and the art of it.