Finding Fanny 2014

As the moon casts its silvery glow over the midnight hour, Ferdie Pinto’s life is forever changed by a letter that reveals his profound love for Fanny Fernandes has remained a secret to her. The news arrives just as Angie, his confidant, is grappling with the sudden loss of her husband Gabo Eucharistica at their wedding celebration. As they navigate this tumultuous period together, Ferdie and Angie embark on a journey to find Fanny, accompanied by an eclectic group of companions: Savio Da Gama, Gabo’s mother Rosie, and Don Pedro Cleto Collaco, an enigmatic artist with dubious intentions.

The odyssey is marked by unexpected twists and turns. Unbeknownst to Rosie, Ferdie’s allergies get the better of him, resulting in a fateful accident that claims her beloved cat. To avoid revealing the truth, he concocts a harebrained scheme to revive the lifeless animal, pretending it’s merely slumbering. The group’s quest takes them to Fanny’s ancestral home, where they encounter Vladimir, a Russian expatriate whose tales of 20 years past reveal that Fanny has long since departed for Tivoli.

As they near their destination, Ferdie confides in Savio about Rosie’s husband’s fate: alive and well, having fled with another woman to the distant shores of Madagascar. Savio is privy to this secret, as are the other travelers who have joined Ferdie on his journey. However, unbeknownst to him, each of these companions harbors their own motivations for making the pilgrimage.

As night falls, the group finds themselves stranded in an open field in the state of Karnataka, a consequence of Ferdie’s hapless navigation skills. While they await morning, Don Pedro makes a suggestive overture towards Rosie, hoping to capture her likeness on canvas. Meanwhile, Savio and Angie steal away from the others, their conversation revealing that he never had the means or ambition to build a business empire in Mumbai, as previously rumored. His humble reality is tempered by Angie’s confessions: she married Gabo solely because Savio never declared his love for her. As they confront the depth of their emotions, the night air is filled with the sound of their passionate reunion.

The darkness that shrouds this journey is illuminated only by the flickering flame of human connection, as Ferdie and his companions stumble upon the truth about themselves and the world around them.

As morning breaks, Ferdie returns from his errand to find Rosie posed in the field, her beauty exploited by the artist Don Pedro and his cohorts Angie and Savio. However, it becomes apparent that the suave sophistication has given way to mistreatment, leaving Rosie devastated as she beholds the unflattering nude portrait he’s created of her. Meanwhile, Don Pedro absconds with the painting, stumbling upon Ferdie’s abandoned can of petrol along with a poignant letter announcing his departure and gratitude for their companionship thus far. As the group prepares to leave, Rosie’s ire is piqued when she realizes they intend to abandon Ferdie behind. Her distress turns to rage as she berates Savio, her words laced with venomous regret over Gabo’s passing, claiming he only married Angie out of pity for Savio’s unrequited love. Savio’s anger simmers as Rosie’s selfishness is laid bare, and the group soon discovers that her beloved cat has met its demise - a fact she seems oblivious to, leaving others to tend to its final needs. A somber mood settles over them as they lay the cat to rest and set off in the direction of home.

En route, Rosie’s emotions reach a boiling point when she stumbles upon an old revolver hidden away in the glove compartment. With her heart heavy, she contemplates ending it all, but Savio’s timely intervention foils her plans. As he struggles to wrest control of the antique firearm from Rosie while behind the wheel, the tension is palpable - and a shot rings out, its intended victim none other than Don Pedro, whose lifeless form slumps forward without anyone noticing. The group eventually turns back in search of Ferdie, only to find him waiting by the roadside for the bus, but their vehicle’s failing brakes render them unable to retrieve him. As they near the precipice of a treacherous cliff, the back door swings open, and Don Pedro’s lifeless body tumbles out, leaving his companions bereft. The car sputters to a stop, and Angie finally notices her friend’s absence - but Rosie attributes his disappearance to a heroic act of self-preservation. Meanwhile, Ferdie spots someone he believes to be Don Pedro on a passing bus, when in reality, the artist lies at the bottom of the sea, his life cut short by the very circumstances that had brought them all together.

As the group ventures forth towards Tivoli, their quest for Fanny becomes increasingly tantalizing. Upon arriving at the village, they’re met with a somber procession, which only serves to heighten their anticipation. It’s here that Ferdie (character) catches sight of what he believes to be his long-lost love, Fanny - only to have his heart sink as it’s revealed to be none other than her daughter, played by the captivating Anjali Patil. The stark reality of Fanny’s passing is made all the more poignant by the discovery that she was married four times over, and yet never saw fit to utter a word about Ferdie to her own flesh and blood. This telling revelation serves as a poignant reminder that sometimes, even the most ardent longings can remain unrequited.

As the group attends Fanny’s funeral, Angie is prompted to offer words of wisdom, cautioning against the futile pursuit of love. “You can’t wait for it,” she sagely advises, “you must go out and find it.” Little do they know, however, that fate has already begun to conspire in their favor.

Six months later, the very same village is abuzz with joy as a beautiful wedding ceremony unfolds before the eyes of all. While appearances might suggest that Savio and Angie are the happy couple, a closer inspection reveals that it’s actually Ferdie and Rosie who are exchanging vows. As the newlyweds drive off into the sunset, leaving behind a trail of happiness in their wake, Angie and Savio share a tender moment by the church, their lips meeting in a sweet, yet poignant, kiss as they bid farewell to the day.