The Emotional Journey of Colors: Understanding Color Psychology in the Film "Lakiro"
Introduction
In filmmaking, colors are a powerful
storytelling tool that can evoke emotions, set the mood, and
establish a strong connection with the audience. Color psychology in the film
refers to the strategic use of color palettes to enhance the narrative and
evoke specific emotional responses from viewers. One such film that expertly
utilizes color psychology to convey its emotional rollercoaster ride is
"Lakiro." This millennial-centric drama portrays the journey of a
broken relationship and the subsequent reunification of an estranged couple.
"Lakiro" centers around Richa and Hrishi, two
ambitious millennials who fall in love while studying in Pune. Richa, pursuing
a Ph.D. in HR Management, and Hrishi, completing his MBA in finance, decide to
get married once their studies are finished. However, Hrishi's ambition makes him prioritize his career over his relationship, leaving Richa lonely and unfulfilled. She decides to pursue her career by joining a
startup as an HR consultant, further driving a wedge between the couple.
Hrishi, on the other hand, desires a traditional family with Richa as a
homemaker and wants to have a baby. The conflicting desires and career-driven
distances eventually lead them to file for divorce.
Color Psychology in "Lakiro": A Visual Emotional
Journey
The filmmakers of "Lakiro" demonstrate a deep
understanding of color psychology, using color palettes to create a visual, emotional journey for the audience. The different phases of the protagonists'
relationship are artfully represented through various seasonal color palettes,
each symbolizing unique emotions and circumstances.
Winter Color Palette - Gloomy Beginnings
The film opens with a winter color palette, effectively
conveying the gloomy and detached state of Hrishi's mind. Winter colors, such
as cool blues and desaturated grays, symbolize sadness, isolation, and
emotional distance. As the audience sees Hrishi living in Bangalore, these
muted colors reflect his emotional disconnect from Richa and set the stage for
the initial somber tone of the story.
The winter color palette also reflects the chilly and
cramped spaces of modern city homes, highlighting the constraints and
limitations of their relationship. As Hrishi's ambition drives him away from Richa,
the winter colors emphasize the coldness that has seeped into their once warm
and loving relationship.
Spring Color Palette - Blossoming Romance
When Hrishi receives the news of Richa's pregnancy, the film
transitions into a vibrant spring color palette. Spring colors like bright greens and soft pastels represent renewal, growth, and blossoming love.
Through this color shift, the filmmakers take the audience back to
the early days of Richa and Hrishi's romance.
Scenes of their first meeting, romantic courtship, wedding,
and honeymoon are infused with the warmth and optimism of spring colors. The
vivid hues reflect the joy and hope of new beginnings, allowing viewers to
reminisce with the couple and feel a sense of nostalgia for their love story's
happy moments.
Autumn Color Palette - Sorrows and Distances
Tragedy strikes the couple when Richa's father dies,
and their relationship worsens, leading to their divorce.
The film transitions to an autumn color palette characterized by
subdued and earthy tones. Autumn colors evoke a sense of melancholy, change,
and letting go, mirroring the sorrows and distances the protagonists
experience during this phase.
As Richa and Hrishi grapple with loss and emotional pain,
the muted autumn colors amplify the somber atmosphere and add depth to the
character's struggles. These colors reflect the changing seasons of their relationship and emphasize the challenges they face in navigating their
individual paths.
Newborn Baby Kaavya - Cold Winter Palette
When Hrishi visits his newborn baby Kaavya, the film again employs a cold winter palette. The delicate and pale colors surrounding the
baby symbolize vulnerability and fragility, reflecting the critical condition
of her underdeveloped lungs. The winter colors in this context emphasize the
fear and uncertainty surrounding Kaavya's health, adding to the character's emotional turmoil.
Vibrant Autumn Colors - Hrishi's Rebound
During the post-divorce phase, Hrishi embarks on self-discovery and adventure. The filmmakers use vibrant autumn colors to
depict this transformative period in his life. Vibrant autumn colors, with
their energetic and warm tones, reflect Hrishi's newfound enthusiasm and zest
for life.
As Hrishi explores new opportunities and experiences, the
vibrant autumn colors symbolize his personal growth and the excitement of
embracing change. This color palette starkly contrasts the subdued
autumn colors during his marriage, signifying a shift in his perspective and priorities.
Winter Revisited - Closure and Reflection
As the narrative concludes, the film revisits the winter color palette again. This return to winter signifies
the characters' willingness to confront their emotions and memories, leading to
closure and self-reflection. The winter colors create an atmosphere of
resolution and introspection as Richa and Hrishi reflect on their past and
face their feelings head-on.
The filmmakers effectively capture the characters' emotional growth and transformation through the winter color palette. The cold and muted
tones, which previously represented detachment, now emphasize their readiness
to confront their emotions and make amends.
Epilogue - Hopeful Spring Colors
The film's epilogue portrays hope and new beginnings, beautifully depicted through the spring color palette. Spring colors, with
their bright and lively shades, symbolize optimism, renewal, and a sense of
possibility. As Richa and Hrishi's paths converge again, the hopeful
spring colors evoke a sense of positivity and fresh starts.
The spring color palette at the film's conclusion leaves the
audience with a glimmer of hope for the couple's future. Their
destinies may be intertwined, and they have the potential to rediscover their
love and rebuild their relationship.
The Emotional Impact of Color Psychology in
"Lakiro"
Evoking Empathy and Understanding
The use of winter colors at the film's beginning immediately establishes an emotional connection with the audience. The gloomy
and detached color palette reflects Hrishi's isolation and unhappiness, making
viewers empathize with his emotional struggles. As the film transitions to the
vibrant spring colors during the flashbacks of Richa and Hrishi's blossoming
romance, the audience becomes emotionally invested in their love story,
experiencing the same joy and hope they once shared.
The autumn color palette during the sorrows and distances
phase further intensifies the emotional impact, eliciting empathy for the
characters' pain and hardships. The use of autumn colors effectively conveys
the complexities of their relationship, allowing the audience to understand their challenges and sacrifices.
Reflecting on Personal Growth and Transformation
The strategic use of vibrant autumn colors during Hrishi's
post-divorce phase showcases his personal growth and transformation. The
energetic and warm tones symbolize his newfound enthusiasm for life, making
viewers recognize the changes he undergoes as an individual. This color palette
emphasizes Hrishi's evolution, highlighting his willingness to explore new
experiences and embrace change.
The return to the winter color palette as the film nears its
conclusion signifies closure and introspection. The cold and muted tones
reflect Richa and Hrishi's emotional journey coming full circle, indicating
their growth and maturity as they confront their feelings and experiences.
Enhancing Mood and Atmosphere
Throughout the film, the different color palettes
effectively set the mood and atmosphere of each scene. The winter color palette
creates a somber and detached ambiance, reflecting the characters' initial
emotional state and the challenges they face in their relationship. The spring
color palette infuses the romantic flashback sequences with a warm and joyful
ambiance, enhancing the audience's emotional connection to their love story.
The autumn color palette adds a layer of melancholy and
sorrow, underscoring the emotional struggles that Richa and Hrishi go through
during their divorce. The cold winter palette surrounding baby Kaavya
emphasizes the fragility of her condition, creating a tense and emotional
atmosphere.
Conveying Symbolism and Themes
The filmmakers of "Lakiro" use color psychology to
convey symbolism and thematic elements within the narrative. The spring color
palette symbolizes new beginnings and growth, mirroring the early
stages of Richa and Hrishi's relationship.
On the other hand, the autumn color palette reflects the
theme of letting go and accepting change as the characters navigate the
sorrows and distances that arise in their lives. The winter color palette
represents closure and reflection, highlighting the characters' journey toward
self-discovery and healing.
Conclusion
The film "Lakiro" is a poignant example of how
color psychology can be harnessed to create a powerful emotional journey for
the audience. The strategic use of color palettes, corresponding to different
phases of the protagonists' relationship, intensifies the emotional impact and
immerses viewers in the story. From the gloomy winter beginnings to the
blossoming spring romance, from the sorrowful autumn to the hopeful epilogue,
the colors guide the audience through the complex emotions of the millennial
couple.
Through color psychology, "Lakiro" transcends the
traditional confines of cinema, becoming an immersive and transformative
experience for the audience. As viewers, we connect with the characters deeper, feeling their joys, sorrows, and hopes as if they were our own.
The film exemplifies the power of colors as storytellers, conveying emotions
and enriching the cinematic experience.
As filmmakers continue to explore the art of color
psychology, we can expect more emotionally captivating and visually stunning
films that resonate with audiences worldwide. "Lakiro" serves as a
testament to the potential of color in cinema, reminding us of the profound
impact that colors can have on our emotions and perceptions, making them an
indispensable tool for filmmakers to tell compelling and evocative stories.
Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi
Writer - Director of Lakiro
Filmmaker, Educator, Researcher
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