Before Life After Death is a poignant phrase that speaks to the profound and transformative experiences of two women whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. It speaks to the ultimate dichotomy of life- the yin and yang, the light and shadow, the before and after. For Gauri, the ‘before’ is a time of great anticipation, with the excitement and uncertainty of a new life growing inside her. But for Radhika, the ‘after’ is a time that represents her pain and grief. She has experienced an all-encompassing loss of a child and is struggling to make sense of what it all means. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, Gauri and Radhika discover that there is always hope for new beginnings. Together, Gauri and Radhika form an unlikely bond, one that transcends their differences and connects them on a deeper level. Through their shared experiences, they discover that life is not just about the before and after but also the in-between. The moments we share with each other, the love we give and receive, and the lessons we learn along the way.
Spoilers Ahead
The Reasons Behind Gauri’s Rebellious Nature
Gauri’s life in Singapore is a monotonous routine with little joy or excitement. She helps her father run his shop, but the loss of her mother has left a void in her heart that nothing seems to fill. Adding to Gauri’s woes is her strained relationship with her stepmother, Kalpana, who always seems to be trying to turn her father against her. Despite the challenges she faces, Gauri has a passion for baking that brings her great joy. When Gauri’s not at the shop, she loves spending time at culinary school, experimenting with new recipes and techniques, which truly makes her happy. But even with her passion for baking, Gauri faces obstacles. Her stepmother’s constant criticism and negativity make it difficult for Gauri to fully embrace her love for the culinary arts. She feels like she’s always walking on eggshells, trying to avoid upsetting Kalpana and her father. Through all of this, Gauri remains strong and determined, refusing to let the negativity in her life define her. Gauri continues to pursue her passion for baking, even when it’s difficult, and finds solace in the friendships she’s formed at culinary school. However, Gauri has developed a rebellious streak as a way of asserting her independence and standing up for herself. She refuses to conform to her stepmother’s expectations and instead, follows her own path, even if it means going against the wishes of her family.
Gauri’s Confrontation With An Unexpected Pregnancy
Gauri finds love in Krishna, a worker at her father’s shop, and they dream of spending their lives together. However, Gauri’s world turns upside down when she discovers she is pregnant. She tries to talk to her parents about Krishna and their love, but her father refuses to understand her and blames her for loving someone he deems beneath their social status. So, Gauri secretly leaves her home at night and seeks refuge at the Jurong shelter home. At the same time, Krishna struggles to accept the idea of becoming a father at such a young age. Krishna knows he isn’t ready for the responsibility, and the thought of not being able to provide for his family eats at him.
Despite his love for Gauri, Krishna finds himself wanting her to consider aborting the child, a thought that makes him feel guilty and ashamed. He doesn’t want to hurt Gauri, but he can’t ignore the fear and anxiety that are consuming him. It is a difficult and painful decision for Krishna to make, and he finds himself torn between his love for Gauri and the overwhelming weight of his own insecurities. When Gauri doesn’t find solace in him, she struggles to make a decision between keeping the child or aborting it. But everything changes after Gauri meets Radhika Sehgal, who helps her find the strength to make difficult choices and guides her through the challenges that lie ahead.
Who Is Radhika Sehgal?
Radhika Sehgal, a highly respected and accomplished gynecologist in Singapore, was known for going above and beyond for her patients. But all that changed when her daughter Rumi tragically died. Since then, Radhika has struggled to cope with the loss, and the weight of her grief has taken its toll on every aspect of her life. As a mother, Radhika is consumed by the guilt and anguish of not being able to save her daughter. She is haunted by questions about what could have been done differently and why Rumi felt that she had no other choice but to end her own life. The pain of her loss is so profound that it has become the defining aspect of her identity, overshadowing her once-thriving career as a doctor. She desperately searches for answers as to why Rumi left her, but Radhika is unable to find any. It becomes an obsession for Radhika, consuming her every waking moment. As she delves deeper into the mystery of her daughter’s death, Radhika finds herself caught in a never-ending cycle of grief, unable to find the closure and peace that she desperately craves.
Why Did Rumi Take Her Own Life?
Rumi was a young and talented musician with a passion for composing her own songs. However, beneath Rumi’s cheerful exterior, she struggled with severe depression. Despite the love and support Rumi got from her family, she was unable to open up and reveal her inner turmoil. Tragically, her pain became too much to bear, and she made the heartbreaking decision to take her own life. As Radhika and her husband Maanav mourn the loss of their daughter, they are haunted by the knowledge that Rumi suffered in silence. At the same time, Radhika feels overwhelmed with guilt, questioning what she could have done to prevent her daughter’s tragic fate. The emptiness in Rumi’s room only serves to remind Radhika of the precious life that was lost.
Maanav desperately tries to bridge the widening gap between him and Radhika after Rumi’s death. However, his attempts seem to fall on deaf ears as Radhika is lost in her own grief, unable to see beyond her pain. Maanav constantly reminds her that Rumi was not a happy child and that they can’t keep blaming themselves for her death. But the burden of guilt is too heavy for Radhika to let go of. It’s as if she has become a prisoner of her own thoughts, consumed by regret and what-ifs. Maanav treads carefully as he navigates the delicate terrain of his wife’s emotions, hoping that one day she will find the strength to move on from the past.
Gauri’s Decision To Leave Her Family
Gauri’s world has changed ever since she found out about her pregnancy. The weight of the decision to keep the child or abort it is heavy on her young shoulders, and she feels lost and alone. It isn’t until she meets Radhika that she finds a glimmer of hope. Radhika offers her the choice of keeping the child; it is something that Gauri has never felt she had before. Slowly but surely, Gauri finds comfort in Radhika’s presence, and she begins to share everything with her. Radhika sees her own daughter in Gauri and decides to be there for her in a way that she couldn’t be for Rumi. But things get worse when Gauri decides to abort the child. Krishna is unable to support her, and Gauri feels like she has no other choice.
However, on the day of the procedure, Gauri runs away from the clinic, unsure of what to do next. Her stay at the shelter home is coming to an end, and her parents are unwilling to accept her back home until she aborts the child. Gauri feels trapped and alone, with nowhere to turn. Despite the challenges, Gauri’s caseworker, Nancy, manages to convince her parents to take her back home. But the peace doesn’t last long, as Kalpana starts creating problems for her. She discards all the memories of Gauri’s mother that she holds dear. Kalpana tries to teach her a lesson because Gauri has filed a personal protection order against her. Disheartened by Kalpana’s behavior, Gauri leaves home again, finding herself lost on the streets.
How Do Radhika And Gauri’s Lives Intertwine With Each Other?
Radhika is worried sick about Gauri. It has been four long days since Gauri went missing and didn’t show up at their appointments. Radhika can’t sleep or eat as the thought of Gauri being out there, alone and vulnerable, keeps gnawing at her heart. But just when she thinks she can’t take it anymore, the doorbell rings, and Gauri stands before her, disheveled and worn out. She hasn’t eaten in days and has no money to take care of herself. But despite all of this, Gauri has one thing on her mind: seeking refuge in the arms of the only person who would help her, Radhika. As Gauri enters Radhika’s home, she collapses in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Radhika embraces her tightly, feeling her pain, and the tears flow freely from her own eyes. She knows that Gauri needs her now more than ever, and she is determined to be there for her, come what may.
Gauri wakes up the next morning to the sight of Radhika and Maanav’s smiling faces, and it is the first time in weeks that she feels truly happy. With their help, Gauri has found a safe haven where she can rest and heal, and things are finally beginning to look up for her. As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, Gauri grows closer to Radhika and Maanav, and they become like family to her. She never imagined that life could be so good, surrounded by people who love her unconditionally. Gauri’s presence brings a new energy into their lives, and Radhika and Maanav find themselves laughing and smiling more often. Gauri’s baking skills, in particular, leave them in awe, as she seems to have a natural talent for creating the most delicious items. Maanav is so impressed that he promises to introduce her to his friend, the popular chef Raymond Kwan, who can help take her baking to the next level.
What Does Rumi’s Poem Symbolize?
When Radhika mentions Rumi’s interest in writing poetry and songs, Gauri becomes curious and reads one of her poems that symbolizes a bird. As Gauri reads through the lines, she feels her heart flutter with emotion. The poem speaks of a bird that longs to be free, to soar high in the sky, and to explore the vast expanse of the world. Gauri can relate to the bird’s desire for freedom, as she too has felt trapped and helpless in her own life. But as she continues reading, she realizes that the bird is a metaphor for something deeper—the human soul, yearning to break free from the constraints of society and find its true purpose. The poem leaves Gauri with a sense of awe and wonder, and she knows that she has discovered something truly special. Even though the poem doesn’t reflect Rumi’s true thoughts or intentions, it is possible that Rumi’s poem highlights her struggle with depression and the feeling of being trapped, unable to break free from her mental and emotional pain. The poem talks about the release and liberation that come from being able to fly and letting go of all ties and constraints. This could represent a desire for freedom from the burden of depression and the pressures of life.
The Connection Between The Northern Lights Portrait And Gauri’s Life
As Gauri immersed herself in Rumi’s poem, the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights portrait in her room seemed to come to life, painting her face with the colors that matched the poem. The reflection of the Aurora portrait could symbolize this inner change or the connection that Gauri feels. There is a sense of awakening or transformation, similar to the transformative experience of witnessing the Northern Lights. For some indigenous people of the North, the Northern Lights are seen as more than just a natural phenomenon. They are usually regarded as the spirits of the dead. There are legends and stories surrounding the Northern Lights, often describing them as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. It describes how nature can have a profound impact on our emotional and spiritual wellbeing and the ways in which it can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. On the other hand, it can be seen as a metaphor for the emotional impact that the poem had on Gauri. The Northern Lights themselves can also be interpreted as a symbol of hope and renewal, and in the context of the movie, they may represent the hope and newfound sense of purpose that Gauri feels as she begins to heal and rebuild her life with the help of Radhika and Maanav. As they are always helping Gauri find her own strength and self-worth.
The Beginning Of Gauri’s New Chapter
Radhika and Maanav have grown to love Gauri as their own, and after much contemplation, they decide to ask her to stay with them forever. But as fate would have it, Krishna realizes his mistake and comes back. With a stable job and plans to rent a house soon, Krishna is finally ready to handle the responsibility of being a good partner and a dedicated father. On the day of Gauri’s 21st birthday, she reveals the news to Radhika and Maanav. Despite their broken hearts, they put Gauri’s happiness first and let her go with their blessings. But before she leaves, they have one last surprise for her. Maanav fulfills his promise and introduces Gauri to the famous chef Raymond Kwan. Raymond is impressed by Gauri’s baking skills and offers her an internship with his Boulanger in Singapore, followed by another in Paris for six months. Gauri feels torn between her dream of becoming a chef and her responsibility as a new mother. She expresses her concerns to Raymond, who understands her predicament but encourages her to find a way to make it work.
‘Before Life After Death’ Ending Explained: What Happens To Gauri & Radhika?
With Krishna and their baby by her side, Gauri embarks on a new journey, full of opportunities and possibilities. Gauri successfully completes her internships and decides to move to Paris for her career. Although Gauri’s path took her away from Radhika and Maanav, they remain a family in her heart, and the memories of her time with them will stay with her forever. Gauri’s presence in Radhika and Maanav’s lives brings about a significant change in both of them. Before Gauri, they had lost their only child and were struggling to find meaning in their lives. Gauri’s presence not only fills the void left by Rumi’s absence but also brings a renewed sense of purpose into their lives.
Gauri inspires Maanav and Radhika to pursue their own dreams and passions. She teaches them to live in the moment. Also, Gauri’s relentless pursuit of her dreams and her resilience in the face of adversity inspire them to overcome their own challenges and obstacles. In turn, Maanav and Radhika provide Gauri with a loving and nurturing home, a sense of stability, and a family that she has been missing in her life. They support her through her struggles and encourage her to pursue her dreams, even when it means letting her go. Together, they form a bond that goes beyond blood ties and becomes a family in the truest sense of the word. Their lives are forever changed by each other’s presence, and their memories and experiences together will never vanish.
