Mr. and Mrs. Iyer:

An endearing journey

By Dilshan Boange

Directed by Aparna Sen Mr. and Mrs. Iyer is a heartwarming film which speaks of how strangers can become kindred spirits compelled by conditions of adversity. The story shows how Meenakshi Iyer played by Konkona Sen Sharma, with her infant son, Santhanam, embarks on a bus journey to return to her husband, from her parents' place. At the bus station, she gets introduced to Raja Chowdhury played by Rahul Bose through a common friend. Raja, who is a wildlife photographer appears to be a mild-mannered gentleman and is requested by Meenakshi's parents to look after their daughter and baby grandson during the journey.

The journey gets underway with a group of passengers of various moods and age groups among whom are Meenakshi and Raja. At a certain point in the journey the bus faces a roadblock. The traffic jam caused reveals to be one caused by sectarian violence between Hindus and Muslims in nearby areas.

Identity

Raja reveals his Muslim identity to Meenakshi. As someone who comes from a high caste and conservative Hindu Brahmin family, Meenakshi shudders at the very fact that during their travel she drank water offered by Raja, a Muslim, who is dismayed at the reaction his fellow passenger to his religious identity.

Raja tries to leave the bus, but is forced to get in by the patrolling police due to a curfew being declared due to civil unrest. After the police leave, a rioting Hindu mob arrives and forcibly enters the bus.

They begin interrogating passengers about their religious identities. Meenakshi Iyer immediately shields Raja's Muslim identity by reefing to herself and Raja who is sitting next to her, as "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer." She thereby asserts their identity as Tamil Brahmins.

Among the passengers is an elderly Muslim couple. The mob leader drags the old couple out of the bus. One teenager who is a Hindu protests but she is thrashed by the leader. After this traumatic encounter, the passengers spend the night in the bus.

In the morning, the passengers trek to a nearby village to seek accommodation. Raja and Meenakshi, identifying themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, fail to find any accommodation.

However, a police officer assists them out by providing shelter at a government bungalow.

The caretaker provides them a single bedroom available in the bungalow. Meenakshi refuses to share the room with Raja, and curses herself for coming along with a stranger.

Eventually Raja brings up with Meenakshi the issue of her outdated prejudices about caste and religion. After a brief argument, Raja allows Meenakshi the comfort of the bedroom and sleeps outside.

Fellow passengers

The next morning they reach a restaurant in the nearby village, and they meet some of their fellow passengers who were with them on the bus; a group of teenagers.

The teenage girls are excited and curious to know the story behind how Meenakshi and Raja got married. To keep their façade of a married couple intact, both of them cook up an impromptu story right from how they met till where they went for their honeymoon.

Beliefs

During their stay at the bungalow, they discover each other's beliefs and understanding of religion. That night, as they witness a horrific murder by one of the mobs, a shocked Meenakshi is comforted by Raja.

The next day, they reach a railway station with the army's help and board the train towards their destination.

An unspoken emotional bond and attraction becomes evident between them in the aftermath of the experiences they have shared.

At their destination station Meenakshi's husband arrives to receive his wife and child. Meenakshi introduces Raja to her husband as a Muslim who helped her during the curfew and ensured the safety of her and her child. Meenakshi's husband sincerely thanks Raja for his kindness.

Before they part ways Raja hands over a camera roll to Meenakshi. It contains the photos he took during their journey. Parting ways they bid farewell, hiding within them the feelings they had developed for each other through a life changing journey.