Table 21

A game show was the vehicle used by the movie 'Table 21' to communicate its message.

Vivaan and Siya are the married couple in this story. Siya wins a competition and is awarded with a trip to Fiji.  There, the couple celebrates their fifth wedding anniversary.

Their package included a dinner hosted by a rich Mr Khan. Mr Khan also hosts a reality show that is telecasted on the web.  The couple is invited to be the contestants on this programme.

The contestants need to answer eight questions truthfully and perform a dare at the end of each question. They are given huge rewards if they are able to do this.  However, they need to play the game to its end. The penalty for lying is death.

At first the questions are easier ones about their relationship, and the dares, though difficult and humiliating, are more harmless.  Later, the questions become deeper, and the dares lie in the realm of being criminal.

Mr Khan reveals some of their deeper secrets, as Vivaan's fear of seeing blood and Siya's affair.  He also exposes their willingness to commit murder; either because of fear or for the sake of self preservation.

In the end the game turns out to be Mr Khan's retaliation for the way his son was 'ragged' during his school days. The movie carries a strong message against 'ragging' - or bullying, as how I would say it in my country.

However, to me, the movie reveals more than just that.  It also speaks loudly about our human nature. We have fears, and we have the ability to manipulate, cheat, lie, and maybe even murder to get over those fears.  We want to have a comfortable and easy life and to be seen as strong and popular, and we can prey on the weak to boost our morale.  Much to the detriment of those around us.  We possibly reap the consequence of our actions also.

Do you think so? Is this what human nature is like?  What can we do about it?

Have you seen the movie? Did you like it? Does it concern you the way Mr Khan personified God in the story?

How will you answer for your misdeeds when God calls you to judgement? How do you think the real world can be fixed?