Second Chance Review: “Second Chance: A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Human Relationships”

Human relationships are quite strange. They don’t require any Wi-Fi network to form. Rather, human bonds can connect anytime, anywhere, beyond the realm of the supernatural.

By Bollyy 13 Jun 2025 in Reviews

New Update

Listen to this article

0.75x 1x 1.5x

00:00 / 00:00

By Shantiswaroop Tripathi

Rating: 3 Stars
Producer: Shyam Bora
Executive Producers: Swapnil Suhas Sonawane, Pan Nalin
Co-Producers: Bhaskar Hazarika, Siddharth Meer, Naren Chandavarkar
Writer: Subhadra Mahajan
Director: Subhadra Mahajan
Cinematographer: Swapnil Sonawane
Cast: Dheera Johnson, Thakri Devi, Kanav Thakur, Rajesh Kumar, Ganga Ram, Shaurya Bastola, Tarini Sood
Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes

Human relationships are quite strange. They don’t require any Wi-Fi network to form. Rather, human bonds can connect anytime, anywhere, beyond the realm of the supernatural. This very idea is highlighted by writer-director Subhadra Mahajan in the film “Second Chance.”
In Second Chance, a young woman, devastated by heartbreak and the trauma of an unwanted abortion, seeks solitude in the snow-clad valleys of the Himalayas. Unexpectedly, she forms connections with three individuals who change her life and help her realize that life indeed offers second chances. After triumphing at several film festivals including the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the film Second Chance released in Indian theatres on June 13.

Story

At the center of the story is 25-year-old Delhi-based dancer Nia (Dheera Johnson). Pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend Kabir (Surya Anand), she is distraught and attempts to reconnect with him, but he doesn’t even respond to her calls. She wants to keep her pregnancy a secret from her parents. Overwhelmed by betrayal and anxiety, she leaves Delhi and retreats to her family's summer home in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas—just as winter is about to set in. Apart from caretaker Raju (Rajesh Kumar) and his family, no one is expected to be there.

Soon, Raju’s 70-year-old mother-in-law Bhemi (Thakri Devi) and his seven-year-old son Sunny (Kanav Thakur) also arrive. Bhemi and Sunny respectfully call Nia “Miss” and go out of their way to serve her, regularly sending her lovingly prepared food, which she often throws away untouched. Sunny, full of mischief and imagination, plays around all day, pretending to be Superman. He kisses his deceased mother’s photo and talks to himself—a carefree, free spirit.
As the days pass and the temperature drops, the emotional warmth between the characters grows. Bhemi and Sunny gradually become more like family than staff. Even Sunny’s pet cat starts bonding with Nia. Their kindness doesn’t come from duty but from their innate compassion.
Nia eventually begins to embrace her new environment. She enjoys Bhemi’s homemade fritters, plays cricket with Sunny, and even bonds with a kitten Bhemi has reluctantly taken in. She reconnects with an old friend and former flame Rudra, who introduces her to his wife. Nia also attends a local party with young folks and experiments with recreational drugs. Amidst the majestic landscape, she practices dancing alone.

As the narrative unfolds, we see Nia quietly observing Sunny playing or Bhemi cooking. In one scene, Bhemi flirts a little with a local shepherd (Ganga Ram), who praises her yarn-spinning skills and delicious fritters. Their light-hearted exchanges evolve into deeper conversations about climate change. The shepherd says, “Mother Earth is weak and sad. If we keep destroying her like this, it will be the end of all of us.” Bhemi replies, “Well, at least you’ve lived a long enough life.”
One day, while gazing out of the window at a surreal black-and-white landscape, Nia takes abortion pills. Excessive bleeding follows, and a doctor is urgently called. Bhemi assures her that she can be trusted, and discreetly gets medical help. The doctor knows what to keep confidential. This marks a turning point in Nia’s journey. Eventually, she decides to give life another chance and returns to Delhi.

Review

Despite some shortcomings, Subhadra Mahajan’s debut feature Second Chance encourages introspection and self-discovery. Her storytelling blends intimacy with a unique perspective. The film feels more like a wise poem than a traditional narrative. Subhadra successfully portrays human emotions without resorting to melodrama.
One particularly touching moment occurs when Nia sees Bhemi washing dishes in sub-zero temperatures and panics—only to feel relieved upon discovering the water is warm. Subhadra skillfully depicts pain—physical, emotional, and psychological—with an astute understanding of human psychology.

However, scenes such as Nia meeting her childhood friend Rudra and his new wife, or Kabir showing up after her abortion, feel jarring and somewhat disrupt the narrative. The film’s slow pace is also a minor drawback.
Still, Subhadra deserves praise for injecting humor and tenderness into moments of grief and tension—like Bhemi and the shepherd’s playful banter over tea and fritters. Climate change is subtly but effectively woven into Nia’s healing process. The depiction of Himachali culture, lifestyle, cuisine, and spirituality, along with environmental concerns, are handled without preachiness. Subhadra’s storytelling makes it clear that life always offers us one more opportunity.
Cinematographer Swapnil Suhas Sonawane’s monochrome visuals are stunning. The bright black-and-white palette reflects the starkness of Nia’s inner world with remarkable depth.

AFF Review: Second Chance - CityMag

Performances

Dheera Johnson’s portrayal of Nia is sincere, though she doesn’t fully succeed in conveying the character’s emotional complexity. However, her effort is evident. Thakri Devi as Bhemi and Kanav Thakur as Sunny shine as concerned locals, delivering charming and authentic performances.

Read also:

Advertisment