Food has a special place in Indian culture. Even oldest of the traditions mention food with special importance in their customs. And so no wonder that the Indian palate is so diverse, covering almost every flavour imaginable. But still despite this diversity, this openness to experiment, Indians themselves harbour some deep prejudices about food. We know about the vegetarian-only societies in metros like Mumbai. Ironically enough, we are outraged when we hear stories about how Indian food is made fun of abroad. We hate the term “curry stink”. Yet this does not at all change our own prejudices in any way.
This is Director Nicholas Kharkongor’s third movie, and the first movie about his own background and experience, which the cast has said, made the story very relatable. Axone, pronounced Akhuni, is the comic-satirical perspective of prejudices, that start with food and expand beyond that to issues of race and culture. Set in Delhi, it is a story about a group of young North Eastern kids. When this vibrant group rushes about the screen scurrying about some stuff, you could excused to assume they are probably moving some weed around for an event. But no, in fact, they are getting ready for a wedding of their friend. Why the secrecy then?
This hush hush mood is however a buildup to a comic relief. It is actually due to a special traditional dish that a couple of friends want to cook for the soon-to-be bride, which is the secret here. Akhuni is sold as if in a black market, where the seller cautiously opens door. The fear of being caught by people around is palpable and unreal.
Lin Laishram as Chanbi wants to make her friend, Minam’s wedding a bit special by cooking Akhuni Pork, along with her Nepali friend, Upasana (Sayani Gupta). A little different among these people is Bentang, a musician at heart who has been racially targetted and struggles to find his note throughout the movie. There is also a Punjabi boy, Shiv, who is fascinated by the group and desperately wants to be a part of it. Tenzing Dalha as Zorem has a charming screen presence. Vinay Pathak and Adil Hussain make interesting cameos.
What transpires can now be classified as true Delhi drama; ‘cooking locations’ change a dozen times, loud aunties throw people into panic attacks, eve teasing gains a new angle when guys in question pepper their fantasies with the girl’s North-Easternness and neighbours casually throw in the “You’ll look alike,” remark. When it seems like the Akhuni is never getting it finally does. They are youth, and not from the mainland (hence out of the norm,) two things that makes India nervous. So it is not a surprising they form a friendship with the black kids around them. The movie’s pace is quick and yet the many characters do manage to tell their stories and find a resolution.
Coming to the titular, Axone, pronounced Akhuni is a traditional North Eastern Soya ingredient that just complements the pork; it completes the dish yet it is not main dish itself. Axone, ultimately becomes a metaphor for the youth’s existence that must somehow remain inconspicuous within a crowd.
Writer Mahaswetadevi’s stories have often focussed on this “alien in your own country,” theme but very rarely has Indian cinema or television ever spoken about this in any way. Although, Doordarshan was a great platform for regional cinema but even then despite their best efforts, the language barrier could not be bridged and the foreignness of India’s own various cultures persisted. So it is great to see that the stage has been handed over to some so-called non-mainstream storytellers.
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