Amazon Prime’s newly released anthology Unpaused brings hope as we gradually adapt to new norms and eagerly wait for the new year to bring our lives back to normal. Directed by six talented directors, the movie includes an ensemble cast of actors like Richa Chadha, Gulshan Devaiah, Saiyami Kher, and Rinku Rajguru amongst others. The entire movie consists of five different stories, set in a different time but focuses on the ongoing Pandemic and how people from different classes deal with it, whilst dealing with their own problems.
The Glitch
The first story, The Glitch features Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher and is set in the year 2030 where the world is ending and scientists have lost all hopes to find a cure or a vaccine for Covid-19. The story starts with a virtual date between a hypo and a warrior, two types of people, one who takes necessary precautions and loses hope that they’ll ever be able to live normally while the other fights to save the world. Although the story puts a smile on your face it also scares you in a way, making you wish you’d never have to see such a day.
The Apartment
The second story, The Apartment stars Richa Chadha and Sumit Vyas and follows their story of separation & hope. The married couple runs a well-established news magazine but soon a few employees complain about the husband, over sexual misconduct. The latter breaks down upon knowing her husband’s monstrous deed and decides to give up on her life but her sailing ships get an anchor only when she least expects it, making her stand up again.
Rat-At-Tat
The third story Rat-at-tat features a young tenant Rinku Rajguru and a senior citizen Lillete Dubey who live in the same building but never happen to talk. The lockdown and the coincidence of a little deadly rat bring them close, helping them open up to each other, striking a beautiful friendship shrinking the age gap between them.
Vishanoo
Vishanoo, the fourth story starring Abhishek Banerjee and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, gives us a glimpse of the hard times the migrants who suffered the most during the pandemic. The story revolved around a migrant family who dreamed of making a living and came to the city with high hopes but their lives fall apart when the lockdown is implemented. They lived in a lavish house but soon they’re forced to leave the city with broken dreams.
Chand Mubarak
The last story of the film, Chand Mubarak is my personal favourite. Ratna Pathak Shah has always been my favourite versatile actor who creates magic on-screen. Living on her own in the city, the senior citizen is over-cautious and takes the necessary precautions to be safe. However, when she meets a rickshaw driver, Riyas, a character played by Shardul Bhardwaj she decides to let go of her fears and opens up about things that she had been bottling up for a long time.
Overall, the film does start on a scary note, but as the stories progress, it gives you hope, strength and reminds you about the power of love and a sense of freedom, reminding up to rise above all odds.