Not Today on YouTube: Two strangers, one lifeline; Aditya Kripalani’s poignant tale of healing and hope

In the realm of conversations, there is nothing more beautiful than two strangers letting each other into their vulnerable and guarded spaces, unraveling themselves layer by layer to the point where they may find answers or, at the very least, momentary comfort. There is hope in the way Aditya Kripalani, in his tender, raw, tragic, and healing film Not Today, explores two people who are destined by their jobs to help and stop others from killing themselves, yet who, deep down, harbor similar tendencies.

Not Today by Aditya Kripalani

Everyone you meet on the streets or see walking beside you has a story, and chances are, it is tragic—but that doesn't stop them from living. When life gets tough, they either run to their refuge or contemplate the extreme. Some have someone to help them, while others may consider the option we fear to mention—suicide. But have we ever thought about where those who always help others go when they need help themselves? Filmmaker Aditya Kripalani presents a cathartic film about two people opening up to each other without fear of judgment. Today on OTTplay, we recommend Not Today, a movie now available on YouTube in case you missed its original 2021 release.

In the bustling life of the maximum city, watching these two pause and engage in a dramatic dialogue with minimalism—while one of them stands on the edge between life and death—is like being in the next building where Ashwin (Harsh Chhaya) is having that conversation with Aliah, a suicide prevention center employee counseling him to not end his life. We might wake up to dreadful news the next day if Aliah (Rucha Inamdar) doesn't save him. That is the level of relatability that Not Today rides on. We are always on the edge of that terrace with Ashwin because, somewhere within us, there is pain too. Maybe Aditya wants to tell us that dialogue is the key, and sometimes breaking down in the comfort of a stranger’s environment might help. He certainly encourages seeking help, but that is not the only aim this nuanced film carries.

The City, a Hero!

Aditya seamlessly blends the city into his story, bringing it alive with ease. Construction projects stalled halfway mirror our lives as we navigate both highs and lows in the shadows. The two individuals in the film are like broken pieces of the same puzzle, left lonely in a city that shines and sparkles constantly. Their guilt runs deeper than they realize; their pain is either channeled into recklessness or expressed through apology. Kripalani ensures they evolve into people we know, have heard of, or have perhaps read about.

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Their decisions are thoughts many of us have had at some point, but we stopped ourselves, or someone stopped us from going ahead with them. These two are that "someone" for each other. In a key moment, Aliah sits on a divider between the road, talking to Ashwin while the world passes by. She goes to Marine Drive, an iconic location where you might be waiting for her to leave so you can claim the spot and relax with your friends (Mumbaikars will know exactly what I'm talking about). That’s the beauty of Not Today. It tells the story of people who might be extras in the movie of your life but are the main characters in their own—and we don’t always meet them at the most exciting point of their story.

There is a sense of familiarity—you know someone like that. It could be the person sitting next to you on the last local train ride home or the colleague you gave a side-eye to because they seemed absent-minded. It is beautiful to see a filmmaker add hope to the conversation around mental health, suicide prevention, and simply being human. Not Today is a courageous story that forgoes visual drama but thrives on a narrative that is potent, substantial, and deserving of a wide audience. Technically, Not Today feels like someone is stealing glimpses of these two from behind a wall or a car parked under a tree, using handheld cameras. The rawness makes this crisp film even more beautiful because the focus isn't on how stunning the frame looks but on how broken these two people are.

Watching Not Today reminded me of the feeling I had watching Kalki Koechlin and Deepti Naval’s Goldfish. I remember describing that movie as a healer. When cinema becomes a dialogue between the viewer and what’s on screen, it transcends its role as a visual medium. It can help the viewer heal from trauma that may not even be close to what’s on the screen. Still, one thing triggers another, and you find solace. Even if that solace is momentary, the film has achieved something special—a virtue that only a few can claim.

Watch The Full Film Here:

Not Today is beyond this nearly thousand-word write-up. Even with its flaws, it’s a film that deserves your attention and time. Watch it for free on YouTube now. Stay tuned for more recommendations like this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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