What It’s About
Thirty-something Mumbai resident Anand (Manoj) returns to Western India for ten days of mourning rituals after his father dies, where he reconnects with childhood pal Balya (Suman). Notably, neither man is married, leading their elders to ask what’s taking so long. But Anand’s grief-stricken mother Suman (Jagtap) knows her son is gay, and suspects Balya is too. As the two men secretly rekindle their relationship, Anand navigates conflicting emotions.
Why We Love It
This delicate tale unfolds with such assurance that it’s hard to believe it’s Kanawade’s first feature film. It’s quickly established that for Anand and Balya, being closeted is not a choice but a necessity. Balya’s parents in particular are furious about his not dating eligible women, with no clue (or curiosity) as to why. For Anand, this internal isolation is coupled with sadness over the loss of his father, who also knew his orientation. Paced to the slower quotidian rhythms of rural Indian life, “Cactus Pears” eschews dramatic flourishes to deliver an affecting, tender tale about love and loss.