Tumhari Sulu : WonderWoman

#TumhariSulu: The film opens with a scene where our main protagonist Sulu, who loves to participate in contests of all kind, is taking part in a lemon and spoon race, a game where speed and balance play an equally important role. And that’s a powerful allegory to the things to follow. Life, so often is about that equilibrium. And it is an individual choice. But then we live in a society where most people have an expert opinion on everything and everyone, where your school marks determine how you are treated for the rest of your life as an individual and where we are judged by the minute by all and sundry. And hence Sulu, an effervescent middle class housewife with an adolescent kid, is subjected to constant nagging by her settled and relatively well to do sisters and father because years back she had flunked her 12^th exam. But then it doesn’t bother her indomitable spirit, she insists “main winner hoon” and continues with her relentless pursuit to find an identity.

Sulu’s character is fascinating. A happy go lucky housewife who exudes a sense of self-assurance without being arrogant. Even when complications arise in her marital life, Sulu remains pragmatic and decisive. It is only when her ever supporting husband doesn’t answer to her question about “whose team he is in” her vulnerability comes to the fore. Vidya Balan breathes life into the character and makes it her own. Her eyes convey every emotion, every feeling. One can give such a performance only when one is having a ball and the Balan after some forgetful outing is well and truly back. You can neither take your eyes nor your ears off Sulu . She effortlessly vacillates between being an optimist to a realist, who is full of ideas and has a zest for life.

The beauty of Tumhari Sulu lies in its detailing, in the way every character has been etched out. Manav Kaul, who plays Sulu’s husband also does a terrific job. The scenes where they are together is enthralling. Their chemistry is infectious. The first half is breezy and uses lots of tongue in cheek humor to introduce us to the middle class Mumbai family and their life. It is the second half that becomes bit contrived when with Sulu’s success and his own dead end job Ashok starts feeling bit insecure. There are some unnecessary sub plots that drags the pace.  But director Suresh Triveni interjects just in time to pull the film back on track. The film uses lots of imagery to drive home its point. Watch out for the scenes where the pigeon sitting on the window pane acts as symbol of liberation.  

Tumhari Sulu is an endearing slice of life film that also touches upon many important areas while giving a strong message. It mercilessly depicts the impact on the psyche of an employee who is dealing with a bad boss at work place. It exposes the woes of working women who constantly have to go through a guilt feeling. It somewhere deep within speaks about the importance of balance in life but then it leaves that decision to the individual. It celebrates the indomitable spirit of Can Do. So next time someone messes up with your confidence, look straight into those eyes and say “main kar sakta hai”. Remember life is only yours and decision must be yours and only yours. Never let anyone else decide for you.

Hellow , hope you are listening !

 I will go out with 3 for the film and an additional 0.5 for that incredible Vidya Balan and the ensemble cast.

Qarib Qarib Singlle - Well Almost !

#QaribQaribSinglle : Yes when you are single , yet have a past and fast approaching middle age you often crave for another “L” ,it can be  Latte or Love,  just to get over an existing  “L” ,loneliness . There are few films where how you tell the story becomes more important than the story itself, where imperfections often add to the beauty and vulnerability. Qarib Qarib Singlle is one of those films. It’s a film about the journey of loneliness and letting go.  And mind you, these journeys are often the most difficult ones full of self doubt. So we have Jaya (Parvathy), a 35 year old lady who had lost her Army officer husband few years back and Yogi (Irrfan) , a 40 year old man who is still single in spite of having three past relationships. And they meet through a dating site.

They are as different as chalk and cheese. While Jaya carries herself in pastel dresses for Yogi its always effervescent red or yellow. While one needs regular sleeping pills the other effortlessly dozes off even in the middle of a conversation. While Jaya is restrained, Yogi is outspoken. Yogi finds company and happiness in whomsoever he meets; Jaya has confined herself to her lonely home and work. Yogi lives in the moment, Jaya still carries the baggage.  And these contrasts that make their journey from Mumbai to Rishikesh to Gangtok to Jaipur a delight to watch.

Tanuja Chandra , coming back after a long hiatus  , and writer Gazal Dhaliwal use humour to tell us a story that has multiple layers .However Tanuja’s direction seems patchy and the camera work at times is too in your face . But the dialogues are witty and Irffan resumes from where he left in Piku. His comic timing is superb. Parvathy, playing a character that is strong yet vulnerable, is terrific in some scenes and terrible in others. But it is their imperfect chemistry that makes Qarib Qarib Singlle such an enchanting journey. The film stumbles a bit in the second half but a whimsical Irffan keeps you invested in the story and the journey. I loved the pacing of the film and some of its Hrishikesh Mukherjee touches.

Qarib Qarib Singlle is an interesting film that will keep you invested provided you walk into the theatre without those baggages.  It is a refreshing take on loneliness, love and letting go. Delete those old passwords, come and explore life with a dash of humour. Remember life is not about the destination it is about the patchy, rickety yet enthralling journey and age is just a number. I will go out with three out of five for this little film that breaks away from norm.