Anoop Lokkur’s debut film explores the complexities of brotherhood and familial relationships in 1990s Bengaluru.
Anoop Lokkur’s debut feature film, Don’t Tell Mother, delves into the intricate relationship between two brothers, Aakash and Adi, set against the backdrop of 1990s Bengaluru. The film’s title is derived from a secret code shared between the siblings, hinting at the deeper themes of childhood innocence and the burdens that come with it. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that Aakash (Siddarth Swaroop) and Adi (Anirudh L Keserker) face various challenges that test their resilience, although they believe they can manage these trials on their own.
The story is rich with nostalgia, depicting a time characterized by cathode-ray tube televisions, Walkmans, and the joys of childhood play, all set within a loving yet somewhat oppressive family environment. The boys’ mother (Aishwarya Dinesh) is portrayed as a figure overwhelmed by household responsibilities and child-rearing, while their father (Karthik Nagarajan) frequently travels for work, leaving the family to navigate their dynamics largely without him. This backdrop of familial love is juxtaposed with the pressures that come with growing up.
Unlike traditional narratives, Lokkur’s screenplay unfolds through a series of episodic vignettes that reveal the interactions among the boys, their parents, and extended family members, including their nearby grandparents. The film captures the essence of childhood through various experiences—holiday trips to the ancestral home, outdoor cricket matches, and the challenges faced at school. Aakash’s remark, “When you are a kid, they give you sweets. When you grow up, they give you beatings,” encapsulates the bittersweet nature of growing up.
Lokkur draws from his own formative years, presenting a narrative that is both nostalgic and complex. He reflects on how memory can be subjective, noting that discussions with family revealed differing recollections of past events. While children tend to focus on joyful moments, adults often revisit those times with a more nuanced understanding of underlying pains. Initially conceived as a short film in 2019, the project evolved during the Covid pandemic into a feature-length screenplay.
Don’t Tell Mother premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in September, and the film predominantly showcases the perspectives of nine-year-old Aakash and his mother. Aakash’s experiences expose him to adult conversations, including his parents’ conflicts and his mother’s unfulfilled dreams. Lokkur emphasizes the importance of depicting both the innocence of childhood and the frustrations of adult life. He initially intended to focus solely on Aakash’s viewpoint but later realized that the mother’s narrative also needed to be represented.
The film’s leisurely pace reflects the slower lifestyle of 1990s Bengaluru, which Lokkur recalls as a more relaxed time for children. He aimed to capture the essence of his childhood, filled with outdoor play, friendship, and simple joys. However, the production faced challenges in maintaining the authenticity of the setting, as modern elements of the city often intruded into outdoor shots. The performances of the young actors are remarkably genuine, with Siddarth and Anirudh exhibiting a natural sibling dynamic that enhances their on-screen chemistry.
Lokkur draws inspiration from films that authentically portray childhood, such as Pather Panchali and The Florida Project. He engaged the child actors by explaining scenes and encouraging them to react as they would in real life, contributing to the film’s authenticity. The protective instinct displayed by Siddarth toward Anirudh added an endearing quality to their relationship, enriching the narrative further.
