"Daughter Given by God" (2014, India)

This is a memorable film depicting intellectual disability. Works such as I Am Sam (2001, USA)—in which Sam, a middle-aged man with the mental capacity of a seven-year-old working at Starbucks, lives happily with his daughter Lucy, born to a homeless woman—and What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993, USA)—where a young man with intellectual disabilities played by Leonardo DiCaprio climbs a smokestack in a small Iowa town, attracting the whole town's attention while his mother stands up firmly—come to mind.

IQ does not parallel EQ in the first place. Isn't humanity defined not by intelligence quotient, but by a sensitivity overflowing with love? This film poses such a question, though it could be seen as a derivative of its predecessors. Still, even the great Picasso is said to have been a master of imitation.

Be that as it may, the story is simple. Krishna, a man working at a chocolate factory with the mental capacity of about a six-year-old, is an honest soul loved by those around him. He names his daughter Nila and, with the help of neighbors, raises her into a bright five-year-old. One day, Nila’s grandfather—a powerful man in the town—learns of their existence and sues, claiming, “A childlike parent cannot be entrusted with raising a child.”

The courtroom scenes over custody lack the gripping tension typical of Western films, which itself feels distinctly Indian. The lawyer’s subtle sense of humanity is a saving grace. Will Krishna be able to reclaim his peaceful days with Nila?

Depicted against a backdrop of gentle rhythms and a natural setting, this film signals a refreshing new chapter for Bollywood and resonates deeply with the viewer's heart.