Badhaai Ho (Congratulations)

Movie Review (Hindi)

There are some things in life which the younger generation take for granted. For example – Parents are there primarily to fulfill the needs of children or the household. That they are two individuals who are human beings with the same sense and sensibilities as them does not seem logical to them.

So when a middle aged couple, (played expertly by Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao) expect another child after 16/17 years, there is a negative eruption in the house and bad jokes and rib poking float around among friends, relatives and acquaintances.

The movie deals with this subject and deals with it expertly. The elder son of the couple, Nakul (played by Ayushmann Khurrana) is working and has a girlfriend (played by Sanya Malhotra), his younger brother is in class XII and both become butts of jokes. Strangely, it is only when Nakul’s girlfriend Renee’s mother talks about the embarrassment that the older couple has caused, that Nakul speaks out for his parents and is able to see things in proper light.

Funnily enough, this kind of a situation, (late pregnancy), was a common occurrence just two generations ago.

Though the film is not a big budget one, meaning there are no huge stars in it, the actors are the best in the business. The person who simply stands out with her act is Nakul’s Granny, played by Surekha Sikri. She cantankerous, very annoyed with her daughter in law at all times, furious that the son and daughter- in-law should indulge in love making at their age but also standing up for them when society makes fun of them.
These are the kind of films that will rule the roost because they hit closer to home. It is primarily our story that we see on screen and we love to watch it from the outside watching how things unravel and then fall into place.

Andhadhun (Blind tune)

Movie Review (Hindi)

Director and screenplay writer, Sriram Raghavan is a master of thrillers and he has not let his audience down in this movie either. The title itself is interesting – Blind Tune – and the entire movie revolves on Andha and Dhun.

Akash, the protagonist, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, the apparently blind pianist who becomes a blind pianist and then becomes an apparently blind pianist does a wonderful job trying to anchor the story with his presence at places where he his not required.

The person who stands out for me is Simi played superbly by Tabu, the wife of Pramod Sinha (Anil Dhawan), the yesteryear actor. She lives only for herself and therefore faces no conscience trouble.

What keeps the audience glued are the amazing twists that stand out on the screen (quite literally). The later half is a bit pulled but even that ends with a huge bang and you come out smiling. An open ending is always the best way to keep the audience happy.

Manto

Movie Review (Hindi)

One thing is for sure – nothing has changed in the way governments run and the way dissent is looked at or the way truth is perceived.

The movie certainly worked its magic holding me in a trance for the entire duration. For me Saadat and Nawazuddin have merged. No one else could have brought him to life with such ease as him. All thanks to Nandita Das for directing so capably, a topic that was so vast and so complex - both the character Saadat Hasab Manto and the concept of Mantoiyat.

The dexterity became evident as the story weaved in Manto’s stories and his life. All my favourite stories were captured so sensitively and kudos again for getting the best in the industry to enact two-minute roles!! This does send the message that mantoiyat is here to stay.

The punch line came with Faiz Ahmed Faiz’ Bol, reawakening your conscience, giving you the courage to speak up in times when it is most required.