Even after twenty-six years after its release, "The Shawshank Redemption" remains at the top of IMDb’s list of the top 1000 movies. The movie was made and released when most of us were not even born and the fact that the film is number one on IMDB makes it inarguably unmissable and worth watching for every generation of viewers but it's more than that. Why do you think a film without action, romance, CG graphics, no heroes with superpowers, and no villains still attracted most of the global audience? Let me explain why.

Andy Dufrense, a banker, is wrongfully double-sentenced to prison for the murders of his wife and her lover.

The film starts with Andy on his day of arrival at Shawshank state prison and ends with his redemption from his prison life after 19 years. Between that, the film revolves around the life of prisoners and it gives an impression of how people lose hope and give up living. But the movie is not just about that. It's something else.

When Andy lands up in the prison he loses his family, friends, job, reputation, and above all his freedom in life. In a world, where people start losing hope and faith for even small failures they can't face in their life, this was certainly enough for Andy to lose his mind and end up feeling hate toward the world. But this guy was different.

He stays calm, makes friends, creates, and enjoys good moments.

He makes friends with Red, a man who is the king behind bars who can get him a pack of cigarettes, a little rock pick, or a Rita Hayworth poster.

He also makes friends with Brooks, the librarian, and writes letters consistently for 6 years for getting the government to pay for the renovation and upgradation of books in the library. 

But he never stopped with that, along with all these, he was seeking the ultimate freedom. He executed his escape plan from prison right from the time he arrived at Shawshank, and started digging a tunnel. It took him approximately 20 years to dig the tunnel using a small rock pick which nobody could have imagined.

The last act of the movie not just shows Andy's redemption but the success of his hope, determination, and journey. Neither he lost his hope nor gave up in the 19 years of his prison life. He was calm and consistent, whether stocking the prison library with books or carrying out his escape plan. He always fought, that’s what I remember. He fought because he knew if he didn’t fight, it would make it that much easier not to fight the next time - Red 

The Shawshank Redemption is not a personal film, but it impacts viewers. It doesn't really matter whether his sentence was unjust or undeserved, instead, he was ready to fight; fight for the destiny that he wants to create. 'Get busy living or get busy dying' - Andy Dufresne

The Key of the film is not about the hero but the relationship we share with him, our curiosity, pity, and admiration. It's a movie about hope, emotion, and friendship. It pulls out the will within every viewer to overcome obstacles and live life. We all can resonate with Andy, the feeling is universal and eternal, irrespective of what circumstances you belong to. Someone said our life is a prison, we all are Red and Andy is a redeemer.  If you’ve come this far, maybe you’re willing to come a little further.