The last Colour - Vikas Khanna

The Last Colour by Vikas Khanna was 7th of 2021.

A flashback on the day of Holi, 2012, in Varanasi after twenty years, a young advocate is celebrating a nation-wide Supreme Court order against an age-old tradition of social injustice meted out to the destitute widows of India.

It was in this city, Choti, a tight-rope walker befriends an old widow, Noor. As a member of the ashram, Noor had lived a life of complete abstinence, but her young friend's innocent exuberance and joy of life fills her with renewed hope. The two form an unlikely bond, with Noor looking out for Choti, inspiring her to 'fly high' by seeking an education and fighting for her rights with dignity. Choti listens enraptured by the memories her friend shares: of playing Holi dressed as Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna, and flinging great bursts of her favorite pink-colored gulal into the sky. Choti promises her that they will play the next Holi together; which is forbidden for the widows. 

But then, one night, another friend of Choti's, Anarkali, is murdered by the heinous police chief and his goons. Being the only witness to her murder, Choti is imprisoned on the eve of Holi. Everything falls apart in the ensuing chaos. There is a Delhi Journalist who comes to cover the case. Noor tries to protect Choti from the Police and people around. But fate had something else in stored for both and on the day of Holi, rather than playing with joy, Choti rope walks with the help of Chintu and sprinkles colour on dead body of Noor, and flees.

Years later, Chhoti becomes an advocate and fights for societal reforms that brings about rehabilitation of both street children and widows. The Last Color is a story of promises kept and promises broken, a friendship that knows no bounds, and the freedom and victory of the human spirit.

There is a film as well directed by Vikas Khanna, with Neena Gupta as Noor, Rudrani Chettri as Anarkali, Aqsa Siddiqui & Princy Sudhakaran as Chhoti ; Rajeswar Khanna  & Vajid Ali as Chintu. Could have a glimpse of the same as well. It did bring tears to eyes, and a thought of how blessed we were.