Why Can’t We Be a Comrade in Someone Else’s Life?

Inspired by the film Dear Comrade and the meaning of true support.

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After a long time, I am writing an article again on Medium. It feels special because this time, I am not just writing to post something — I am writing to share what I truly felt. Yesterday, I watched the Telugu film Dear Comrade, which was released six years ago. Recently, since Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna got married, my friends suggested that I watch this movie. I had heard about it before, but I never took the time to watch it. Finally, I did — and it was truly an emotional experience. One thing that immediately caught my attention was the meaning of the word “Comrade.” A comrade is a person who stands with you, supports you, and shares the same goal, work, or struggle. It is stronger than just a “friend.” A comrade is someone who fights alongside you and faces challenges together with you. In the movie, the hero truly lives up to that word. Bobby is not a perfect person. He has anger issues and emotional struggles, but when it comes to standing beside Lilly, he never leaves her side. Lilly is a passionate cricketer. Cricket is not just a game for her; it is her dream and her identity. But as she moves closer to her goal, she faces serious problems that affect her deeply. The pressure and trauma disturb her mentally, and at one point, she gives up on her dream. Her parents and friends care about her and try to protect her, but they do not fully support her in facing the issue directly. They focus on keeping her safe instead of helping her fight back. That is where Bobby becomes her true comrade. He stands by her, encourages her, and pushes her to confront her fears. One powerful dialogue in the movie deeply touched me. He tells her not to choose love over her goal. He says her dream should always come first, and only then him. That moment shows what true love and true support mean. He does not want to be her priority; he wants her success to be her priority. That is what makes him a real comrade. After watching the film, my friends and I discussed it for a long time. One of them said that in life, a great friend is important, but a comrade is like a king. That thought stayed in my mind. When I reflected more, I realized something meaningful. In our lives, we already have comrades. They may not use that word, but they play that role every day. It can be our parents, who silently sacrifice for our future. It can be our friends, who support us during our worst days. It can be our siblings, who stand by us no matter what. In different ways, they all act as comrades in our journey. But then a question came to me. If they are being comrades for us, why can’t we be comrades for them? Why can’t we support them in achieving their goals? Why can’t we stand beside them when they feel like giving up? Why do we expect support, but sometimes forget to give it back? From my point of view, being a comrade is not about doing something big or dramatic. It is about consistent support. It is about believing in someone when they stop believing in themselves. It is about reminding them of their dream when they feel lost. It is about standing beside them, even when the situation is uncomfortable. For me, Dear Comrade is not just a love story. It is a reminder. A reminder that life is not only about finding someone who supports us. It is also about becoming that person for someone else. Maybe the real question is not “Who is my comrade?” Maybe the real question is, “For whom can I be a comrade?”

-Mithra Ramesh