On the weekend of 26th Jan 2019, I had watched too much television (more than I usually watch). However, I choose to watch something meaningful (This made me feel less guilty at least). A short film named — Rubaru Roshini (narrated and produced by Aamir Khan) which tells 3 inspiring stories (all true) having an underlying thread— Forgiveness.

I don’t think I have ever seen or heard anything like this. In our daily lives, we are surrounded by people, known and unknown. When someone hurts us or says anything bad, we feel that grip of anger against that person and wish we never see him or her; worse, hit them back with vengeance. Now imagine, that person has killed your beloved one. What will you do?

The first story talks about a daughter who lost her parents at a tender age. They were murdered outside their house by a man due to religious and political reasons. The second story talks about a woman (foreign citizen) who lost her husband and daughter in the 26/11 Mumbai attack by a terrorist group. And the last one touches upon the story of a nun who lost her sister nun (working for the upliftment of the local village) in a brutal stabbing by a local villager.

What do you think the victim’s relative should have done to the murderers? What is the right thing to do?

Everyone had that sense of anger and feeling of revenge in their hearts. I think that’s the perfect human emotion to have if you are going through all this. However, all of the victims chose a completely different emotion (I would say, exactly the opposite to anger) — Forgiveness.

How did this happen? What was the common thread that made all of them choose forgiveness above anything else?

They introspected. By realising the truth, you can move beyond yourself. It’s a journey of going inward to shape the outward with peace and grace. From being self-centered to becoming selfless is the truth they all found after introspection.

Justice is important, no doubt. We should all fight for the same. Forgiveness is not about forgetting justice, it is about finding justice for yourself and others. Freeing yourself from the shackles of anger and revenge is justice too. And the best part is, in this kind of justice, you not only help yourself but also transform the other person for the better, so that this precious life does not get wasted behind bars, instead is put to use for the welfare of society at large. Everyone deserves a second chance to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

In the present time, the assailant from the first story is a fitness trainer now, living happily with his family. The daughter (victim) living a beautiful life too with her husband and two kids. Both families met over lunch and shared a good time post the film release.

The women from the second story keep visiting India to spread the message of love and peace. She believes by doing so, she feels closest to her lost family.

The attacker from the third story travels a long distance to visit the nun’s house (victim’s sister) every year on Raksha Bandhan to take blessings from her. Unbelievable yet true.

This is what forgiveness can do to people’s life. It’s a divine emotion. Let it flow… A beautiful song from the short film (you can listen to it here): 

“Zindagi ke kuch pal aise bunno

ki ban jaye woh tumhari pehchaan,

Jab bhi ho udas tum

bhol na jaana yeh baat,

tumhare saath hai tumhari pehchaan”

Love & Gratitude