Thai Massage

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*Thai Massage* (2022) is a unique film that tackles the often-overlooked topic of sexuality in older age, especially for senior citizens. The film addresses the taboo surrounding sexual activity for people over 60, a stage of life when sexuality is often suppressed or ignored by society. The story revolves around Atmaram Dubey (Gajraj Rao), a 70-year-old widower living in Ujjain, who, despite being a respected patriarch, is grappling with erectile dysfunction. His desire to experience intimacy one last time before losing the ability to do so drives the narrative forward.

Atmaram’s quest for sexual satisfaction is sparked by a series of events after his family discovers he has a passport and had recently taken a secret trip to Bangkok. The film unfolds in flashbacks as Atmaram recounts his misadventures to his son (Sunny Hinduja). Initially, Atmaram is encouraged by his friend Santulan (Dibyendu Sharma) to explore ways to overcome his sexual struggles, including arranging a prostitute for him and even organizing a trip to Bangkok. However, Atmaram is unable to engage in meaningless sex and instead forms a connection with a Russian travel blogger (Alina Zasobina), leading to an unexpected and meaningful romantic encounter.

While the film bravely explores themes of aging and sexuality, it struggles with several narrative inconsistencies. The sudden desire of Atmaram, a widower for over two decades, to seek sex is not fully explained, and the logistics of arranging the trip—especially given his financial and practical constraints—are unclear. Additionally, a subplot involving domestic violence, played for comedic effect with Rajpal Yadav’s character, feels misplaced and detracts from the film's tone.

Despite these issues, *Thai Massage* succeeds largely due to Gajraj Rao’s heartfelt performance as the naive, innocent Atmaram. His portrayal of an aging man seeking closure and connection is the film’s most compelling aspect. The supporting cast, including Alina Zasobina, Dibyendu Sharma, Anil Charanjeett, and Sunny Hinduja, offer solid performances that complement Rao’s lead role.

The film’s pacing could have been tighter, particularly in the second half, but it remains a thoughtful and gentle exploration of the rights of older individuals to experience love, intimacy, and sexuality without judgment. While the comedy may not always hit the mark, the underlying message of embracing life and its pleasures at any age is clear.