Thanks for writing this. This line in particular was powerful and helped me understand myself better-
"Over time, children like us end up becoming extremely self-reliant and learn to take care of everything by ourselves. But then, this is not a useful quality for building relationships in our adult lives."
Also thanks for the reminder to get to The Bear season 2!
Thank you for reading and responding, Dhruv. I am so glad this essay found you :))
The Bear can get difficult sometimes but I have started to believe in Carmen - mostly because I feel a kinship with him and I'm rooting for him to get over to the other side. He will, he will.
Wow Karthik...you capture that sinking feel so well. You have a way of conveying the heaviest of feelings in the gentlest of ways. I'm going to watch Kumbalangi Nights now.
It is such a pleasure to read you Karthik. You express yourself so well, others can only dream of. And the examples from movies are so apt. The things we do as parents sometimes backfire in a different way. We can only hope for the best. But I am glad to know that you did not hesitate to seek the help you need and deserve. Hugs to you.
Karthik, reading this felt like someone is connecting the stars and showing a constellation.. Having watched these stories on screen and having read your essays - I knew that they shine - But now I can see how they shine together, and the constellation is larger than the sum of its stars. People who can both help and take help are the richest.
Fantastic Karthik ...the connections the depth and the absolutely sparkling honesty of this piece...thank you for offering a perspective that is usually the one I try to block out most often ..
Thank you, Sudha! Typing on word doc was easy but copying it to Substack made it ready to be published. And then I spent one day doing one hour's job of tinkering with it while also asking myself if I am ready to publish this or not. Finally it happened this morning. Phew! :))
This is so beautifully written, Karthik, the emotions still raw but so well articulated. The emotions of the movie and your own life seamlessly intertwined. Thank you for your lovely session the other day! Have you watched the Marathi series Lampan on SonyLiv?
This is so moving Karthik. And so so genuine. I need to re-read this a few times( along-with rewatching what KN and the other things you quote) to do it justice. But fabulous writing.
Karthik, I am so deeply moved by this essay, so quietly proud of your inner work towards healing and sharing … I’ve been without words because I am feeling it all so profoundly. Thank you
I sometimes think it about this way - if things had turned the way they did, I would not have reached here. Everything had to happen exactly as it did for me to get here, and this - here - is an amazing place. So it's all great!
With this post, you've made me look at Kumbalangi Nights in a whole new way. My attention was so caught on Shammi as a wonderfully executed glyph of toxic masculinity that I hadn't sufficiently appreciated these beautiful details. Time for a re-watch!
I hope you remember the way Shammi slid up to the head of their dining table.
Do watch and tell us what else you see now. Good movies have many nuances we might miss the first time. Like my Literature teacher used to say about good books - 'there are no coincidences; every small detail has been well thought out.'
Karthik - nothing to say because I have a stone in my throat. This is the kind of writing that I emulate and admire in infinite ways - because not only does the prose sing a poignant tune, but the emotion comes through in such a visceral yet understated way... I'm going to revisit this often. You have a gift 🤗
Thanks for writing this. This line in particular was powerful and helped me understand myself better-
"Over time, children like us end up becoming extremely self-reliant and learn to take care of everything by ourselves. But then, this is not a useful quality for building relationships in our adult lives."
Also thanks for the reminder to get to The Bear season 2!
Thank you for reading and responding, Dhruv. I am so glad this essay found you :))
The Bear can get difficult sometimes but I have started to believe in Carmen - mostly because I feel a kinship with him and I'm rooting for him to get over to the other side. He will, he will.
Wow Karthik...you capture that sinking feel so well. You have a way of conveying the heaviest of feelings in the gentlest of ways. I'm going to watch Kumbalangi Nights now.
Your feedback means a lot to me. Thank you, Nidhi! :))
It is such a pleasure to read you Karthik. You express yourself so well, others can only dream of. And the examples from movies are so apt. The things we do as parents sometimes backfire in a different way. We can only hope for the best. But I am glad to know that you did not hesitate to seek the help you need and deserve. Hugs to you.
Thanks a lot for your supportive words! :))
Karthik, reading this felt like someone is connecting the stars and showing a constellation.. Having watched these stories on screen and having read your essays - I knew that they shine - But now I can see how they shine together, and the constellation is larger than the sum of its stars. People who can both help and take help are the richest.
Wow! What a line - 'people who can both help and take help are the richest'. This feels so good!! Thank you so much, Raju!! :))
Fantastic Karthik ...the connections the depth and the absolutely sparkling honesty of this piece...thank you for offering a perspective that is usually the one I try to block out most often ..
Thanks so much, Roshni! This means a lot!
Beautifully written, and so very meaningful.
Thank you , Dipali. I am glad to know this :))
Wow Karthik, such an emotional one, a big hug to you. Thank you for penning it down.
Thank you, Sudha! Typing on word doc was easy but copying it to Substack made it ready to be published. And then I spent one day doing one hour's job of tinkering with it while also asking myself if I am ready to publish this or not. Finally it happened this morning. Phew! :))
This is so beautifully written, Karthik, the emotions still raw but so well articulated. The emotions of the movie and your own life seamlessly intertwined. Thank you for your lovely session the other day! Have you watched the Marathi series Lampan on SonyLiv?
Thank you so much, Alaknanda! I haven't watched the show. I will surely watch it since you are recommending.
This is so moving Karthik. And so so genuine. I need to re-read this a few times( along-with rewatching what KN and the other things you quote) to do it justice. But fabulous writing.
Thanks a lot Sanket! This means a lot to me! :)
Karthik, I am so deeply moved by this essay, so quietly proud of your inner work towards healing and sharing … I’ve been without words because I am feeling it all so profoundly. Thank you
💜
Thank you, Natasha :')
I sometimes think it about this way - if things had turned the way they did, I would not have reached here. Everything had to happen exactly as it did for me to get here, and this - here - is an amazing place. So it's all great!
With this post, you've made me look at Kumbalangi Nights in a whole new way. My attention was so caught on Shammi as a wonderfully executed glyph of toxic masculinity that I hadn't sufficiently appreciated these beautiful details. Time for a re-watch!
I hope you remember the way Shammi slid up to the head of their dining table.
Do watch and tell us what else you see now. Good movies have many nuances we might miss the first time. Like my Literature teacher used to say about good books - 'there are no coincidences; every small detail has been well thought out.'
Enjoyed this personal account of how you look at movies.
Thank you, Ravi. I am glad you liked it :))
Terrific, Karthik! Your honesty and ability to weave in cultural references really set your personal writing apart. Loved this. :)
Thanks a lot for your kind, articulate and encouraging feedback. Means a lot :))
Karthik - nothing to say because I have a stone in my throat. This is the kind of writing that I emulate and admire in infinite ways - because not only does the prose sing a poignant tune, but the emotion comes through in such a visceral yet understated way... I'm going to revisit this often. You have a gift 🤗
Oh man, thank you for your infinite kindness with your reading and responding. This essay and its writer are both feeling the love. 🥹