Akhilesh Jaiswal is the director of the Hindi film Starfish. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, the film is a love story starring actors Tusharr Khanna, Milind Soman, Ehan Bhat, and Khushalii Kumar.
The novel Starfish Pickle: A Goan Adventure by Bina Nayak served as the basis for the film. The plot, which is set in the picturesque locations of Goa and Sicily, centers on Khushalii Kumar’s character Tara, a young lady.
Arlo’s character in the movie
Tara enjoys diving, and the water helps her overcome her difficult past. She struggled with drugs and alcohol, and she didn’t get along well with her mother Sukanya.
Tara frequently visits Goa to party and forget and escape from her life. Her life takes a turn for the worse when she learns she is expecting a child following her relationship with Goan artist Arlo.
After receiving this disturbing news, her mother kills herself and leaves Tara with a confusing message. As the story progresses, Tara decides to abort the child.
Tara, who needs to understand her background, visits Sicily to see her mother’s friend Leslie Fernandes. Leslie breaks the terrible news to Tara that Arlo, the man Tara has been crushing on lately, is her biological father. Tara is extremely saddened by this realization, which makes her use more drugs and alcohol.
Tara’s family chooses to get her married quickly in the interim. Aman, a Navy lieutenant, was their choice for her. Tara first consents to the marriage, but later comes to love Neil, a fellow musician who greatly admires Arlo.
She also doubts her choice to marry Aman because she is expecting Neil’s child. Her wedding is postponed due to a volunteer rescue effort, and she turns away from Aman.
Who did she go with in the end?
There is a surprising turn at the end of the film. Arlo discards his ID card when Tara leaves, giving the impression that he may have been telling lies to keep Tara safe. Tara ultimately realizes what brings her peace and happiness. She calls off her marriage with Aman to begin a new life with Neil and the child.
Tara pays homage to her grandma by opening a pickle business, marking a joyful ending to the narrative. It demonstrates that she has moved past her previous problems that took a mental toll on her. Tara’s journey through life is portrayed in the film as she overcomes obstacles, much like a starfish that can mend its wounds.
Tara’s decisions and journey
Throughout the film, we witness how Tara’s mother and her romantic relationships impact her life. Her tale revolves around her travels to Goa and Sicily, her encounters with Arlo, Leslie, Neil, and Aman, and her struggles with her mother’s background, all of which constantly impact her decision-making abilities.
Tara learns about love, forgiveness, and moving on from her experiences. She finds the will to improve her life despite her hardships. Ultimately, Tara’s narrative is about self-discovery and choosing happiness, much like a starfish who finds a means to recover and develop.
The movie is based on a novel, Starfish Pickle, but the screenplay has a very different narrative. The plot feels slow, it had a lot of potential, but the movie did not manage to explore it completely.
Sometimes it feels like a far cry to connect with the characters because of their superficial presentation. This movie is for someone who likes to enjoy a decent movie with good locations and a forgiving journey.
