The Mehta Boys review: A relatable tale of father and son

The Mehta Boys, directed and co-written by acclaimed actor Boman Irani, is a perfect example of a well-made slice of life.

The complex family dynamics feel straight out of life without any overt melodrama.

Often times the movie conveys a lot through symbolism.

Synopsis

The core plot of The Mehta Boys focuses on an underconfident architect Amy (Avinash Tiwary) and his father Shiv (Boman Irani).

Shiv is a grieving widower who is having a hard time dealing with the death of his wife. Amy shares a distant relationship with his father.

Shiv is all set to go for the US with his daughter Anu (Puja Sarup). However, a last-minute mishap forces Amy to spend time with Shiv for 48 hours. Over 48 hours a transformative change happens as the father and son navigate how to deal best with the situation.

Emotions which have been buried for a long time resurface leading to introspection. This is the story in brief.

What works

The Mehta Boys is a family drama
‘The Mehta Boys’ is a family drama. (X)

The best part of The Mehta Boys is how Boman Irani avoids melodrama. Both Shiv and Amy are flawed in their own way, their attempts to find a common ground without any dramatic dialogues and filmy exaggerations is a treat to watch.

As a director and an actor, Boman Irani conveys a lot with the silences between the conversations.

What also makes The Mehta Boys special is how it showcases the importance of acknowledging emotions and doesn’t make it just about fixing the relationships overnight. How Boman Irani gradually showcases the discord between the father and son is a master class in both direction and writing.

Strong on symbolism

The strained relationship isn’t because of hatred, but it has more to do with unresolved pain and the clash of egos, which results in an inability to communicate. This gradual layering makes the viewers introspect about their own relationships.

Boman Irani directorial The Mehta Boys
Boman Irani directorial ‘The Mehta Boys’. (X)

As already mentioned, The Mehta Boys is a movie which rides high on symbolism. A special mention must be made of how Boman Irani uses a leaking roof, a piece of cloth drifting in the wind etc to showcase the inner turmoil of Amy and Shiv.

One of the most poignant moments in the movie involves a tattered cloth floating over Shiv and Amy’s heads resembling their late mother’s saree. This tattered cloth is a reminder that the mother is still there in spirit keeping a watch on them.

The core of The Mehta Boys is how it isn’t always about fixing relationships instead it’s about acknowledging the fact that every person has a different way of expressing their feelings. The healing process doesn’t always need to be dramatic; instead, it can come in the form of small gestures.

Through the profession of Avinash Tiwary’s Amy, Boman Irani also makes scathing remarks on how every building feels the same in terms of the overall architecture, the dialogues related to the high tower buildings work as a perfect social commentary.

A minor issue with The Mehta Boys is that Boman Irani could have gone deeper into the origin of father and son discord. The distance between the two is mostly left for the viewers to interpret; still, this is just a minor in an otherwise powerful movie.

Performances

Avinash Tiwary and Boman Irani in The Mehta Boys
Avinash Tiwary and Boman Irani in ‘The Mehta Boys’. (X)

The performances of the central characters also add a lot of weight to the movie. Boman Irani is a legendary actor who doesn’t need a specific introduction.

As Shiv he is spectacular in portraying a loving yet reserved father. He simply nails the various eccentricities. The actor particularly shines in the portions expressing the character’s grief, guilt and stubbornness.

Avinash Tiwary is also terrific in providing solid support. He perfectly embodies the angst of a son who wants to be acknowledged and understood. The way he portrays the internal battles of Amy is a sheer delight to watch.

Shreya Chaudhary as Amy’s girlfriend Zara also makes her presence amply felt. Although the story is essentially a father and son drama she too leaves a significant impact, more than holding her own opposite Boman Irani.

Her character of Zara thankfully isn’t just a supportive girlfriend, Zara has an agency of her own and Shreya excels in portraying the various shades. Puja Sarup as the daughter also deserves a special mention.

Final take

To sum it up, The Mehta Boys is a perfect watch for fans of slice-of-life movies with relatable scenarios. The film is now streaming on Prime Video.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha.)

Mrs review: Smashing internalized patriarchy down

Jeo Baby’s The Great Indian Kitchen released in 2021 was a very impactful movie on internalised patriarchy. The movie focused on the lives of the women who manage our homes, the category whom we take for granted.

These women constantly put the needs of the men above their dreams relegating themselves to the kitchen. Through the story of newly married women finally breaking out of conventions, Jeo Baby held a mirror to society.

What added to the impact of The Great Indian Kitchen was also the terrific Nimisha Sajayan.

Before MrsThe Great Indian Kitchen was remade into Tamil with another equally good actress Aishwarya Rajesh. Now you have the Hindi adaptation with the talented young actress Sanya Malhotra.

Synopsis

For those who aren’t familiar with the source material, Mrs focuses on a newlywed woman Richa (an excellent Sanya Malhotra). Nishant Dahiya takes over from Suraj Venjaramoodu, but in this movie, the profession of the male character is changed as is the setting.

A still from the film Mrs
A still from the film ‘Mrs’. (X)

Nishant Dahiya plays a gynaecologist, this adds an interesting layer something which I will touch upon later. Coming back to Mrs, Richa has a passion for dancing, she wants to make a career out of it but the role of a traditional housewife starts taking a toll. This is the story in brief.

The best part of Mrs is how Arati Kadav showcases internalized patriarchy using the kitchen and the constant cooking of food as a metaphor.

The kitchen in Mrs is more modern in comparison to the one showcased in The Great Indian Kitchen. There are more windows and also shiny appliances but the drudgery of the main character is the same.

The clash between the old and new ways has been represented wonderfully by Arati Kadav. A striking aspect of the kitchen is that although the structure here is more modern the dripping of dirty water is constant.

Just like The Great Indian Kitchen there are numerous cooking shots of the same nature but these are necessary as it gives the viewers a psychological insight.

Characterisation

Mrs is a remake of The Great Indian Kitchen
‘Mrs’ is a remake of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. (X)

The characterization of Sanya Malhotra coupled with her acting is another backbone of the movie. Richa is someone who starts as a lively young girl wanting to do something with her life, the initial days of her marriage flow smoothly but soon she gets stuck in a depressing cycle of pleasing her husband and father-in-law.

How this starts affecting her and the moment where she decides that enough is enough has come out wonderfully both in the writing done by Harman Baweja, and Anu Singh Choudhary along with Sanya Malhotra’s act.

Many young girls would connect to Richa’s dreams and cheer for her when she finally decides not to succumb to the vicious cycle of patriarchy.

Internalized patriarchy

A poster of the film Mrs
A poster of the film ‘Mrs’. (X)

As a society, the issue of internalized patriarchy looms large however modern people pretend to be. The theme of internalized patriarchy also comes out in the scenes between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law.

When Richa complains about being overworked, the other woman responds with a dismissive attitude saying ‘Yeh Sab toh Sikna Hoga (You have to learn this)’

As already mentioned director Arati Kadav brings in small but significant changes. The profession of Nishant Dahiya’s character adds an interesting contrast to his behaviour while doing his job and how he is as a husband.

There are scenes of Diwakar trying to force himself on Richa not caring whether she also wants to participate in that particular moment. There is a very mechanical process adopted by Diwakar with no foreplay and build-up.

Again through these scenes, Arati Kadav makes a strong comment on the general attitude of misogynistic men.

Performances and technical aspects

Apart from Sanya Malhotra’s brilliant act, both Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh also make a strong impact. Nishant Dahiya is completely convincing as a doctor who pretends to be outwardly respectable but is actually regressive. Kanwaljit Singh is also exceptional in making the viewers hate him.

The songs and the background score though leave something to be desired. Both these aspects stick out like a sore thumb in an otherwise powerful movie.

Final take

The last word, Mrs is highly recommended even for those who love The Great Indian Kitchen. The film is now streaming on Zee5.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

The Storyteller: A powerful ode to the eternal power of stories and the voices that shape them

Legendary director Satayit Ray is a man of numerous talents. He was not only a celebrated director but also a wonderful writer. His stories remain relevant today.

In 2021, a Netflix anthology titled Ray was released. The very talented directors Abhishek Chaubey, Srijit Mukherjee, and Vasan Bala did absolute justice to Satyajit Ray’s stories.

Now you have a feature film The Storyteller directed by Anant Mahadevan based on his short story streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar.

Synopsis

Just like his other stories, this one too holds significant relevance even today, raising important questions. The movie delivers a powerful message about how stories by themselves don’t hold magic; it’s the storyteller who breathes life into them.

The core of The Storyteller is two men of two very different thought processes and backgrounds. Paresh Rawal plays Tarini a man who has never stuck to one proper job throughout his life. However, his one constant love is storytelling.

He enjoys telling stories but is very afraid of putting them down on paper. On the other hand, you have Adil Hussain’s Garodia, a Gujarati businessman from Ahmadabad. Garodia sells luxurious cotton sheets to provide sleep for the rest of the world but he suffers from the plague of insomnia.

To get over his insomnia he puts an advertisement for a storyteller who will put him to sleep through stories. Tarini comes across this advertisement and upon his friend’s insistence decides to become a storyteller given his love for stories.

A very unexpected friendship develops between the two, but things take a very drastic turn when Garodia starts exploiting the stories of Tarini leading to significant differences.

Strong aspects

Adil Hussain in The Storyteller
Adil Hussain in ‘The Storyteller’. (X)

A very strong aspect of The Storyteller is undoubtedly the characterizations of the two principal characters.

Tarini is a quintessential Bengali with a huge love for Rabindranath Tagore books, fish and Durga puja among others. He loves losing himself in the stories he narrates.

Garodia on the other hand completely embodies a typical Gujarati businessman. His personality comes out strikingly in the design of the house, major focus on numbers and very importantly possessing lots of books but not reading them.

He has a certain obsession about finding success in business leaving little time for artistic traits.

The pace of the movie

This contrast drives the movie in many ways. Director Ananth Mahadevan does a very fine job of exploring this through an unhurried mode of narration.

Paresh Rawal in ‘The Storyteller’. (X)

The pacing of The Storyteller and its aesthetics often reflects that of the art house Bengali movies. This can be a major deterrent for some particularly today’s audiences who are used to a certain kind of cinema.

But this unhurried mode of narration is also a major strength of the movie.

A special mention must also be made of how Tarini doesn’t directly confront Garodia, instead he cleverly exposes the man as a plagiarist.

It is subtle but still powerful. At the same time, the movie also focuses on the shared need of stories through the two men even if they are culturally and thematically very different from each other.

This comes out powerfully in the climax where the director talks about how both men may tell the same tale but their versions will diverge leaving the viewers to decide for themselves which version they prefer.

A social commentary

Through the character of Garodia, the movie also reflects on the exploitation of creative prowess—Rich people wanting to come across as intellectual. This has relevance to today’s digital age. Certain writers are paid a lot of money to ghostwrite the tweets of some so that they come across as humorous.

A certain need and insecurity is what drives Garodia to plagiarize Tarini’s stories. The insecurity of Garodia is not just reflected in stealing Tarini’s stories but also in consuming fish even though he is repelled by the smell of it. In a way, Garodia comes across as a tragic figure as he wants to fit in.

Among the stories narrated by Tarini a mention must be made of the spy pigeon during World War 2 and also a hundred-year-old tree in the Aravali forests.

Technical aspects and characterisation

The Storyteller also benefits from the wonderful atmosphere. Cinematographer Alphonso Roy does a terrific job of capturing the ethos of both Kolkata and Ahmadabad through his lens. The art design also takes the viewers back in time, making it an immersive experience.

‘The Storyteller’ is based on Satyajit Ray’s story. (X)

Talking about the two leads, both Paresh Rawal and Adil Hussain deliver terrific performances, Paresh Rawal completely embodies the typical characteristics of a Bengali man with flair.

He effortlessly gets into the skin of the role proving why he is such a legend once again. His punch lines are a sheer delight whether it is cursing capitalism or the line about plagiarism.

A dialogue needs to be particularly mentioned here. “Nakal Ke Liye Bhi Akal Chahiye” (You need intelligence to even copy something).

Adil Hussain matches step to step-with his delightful act of an insecure businessman. Adil comes across as a half antagonist and a half sympathetic figure; both of which he captures splendidly.

Senior actress Revathy has an extended special appearance as Saraswati. In spite of the brief screen time, Revathy makes her presence amply felt. Mention must also be made of Tannishtha Chatterjee as the Tamil librarian. Her scenes with Paresh though few are still wonderful to watch.

The songs of the legendary writer and poet Rabindranath Tagore such as Purano Shei Dinner Kotha and Tumi Robe Nirobe and the various other folk songs have been seamlessly integrated into the narrative as well.

Final take

To sum it up The Storyteller is a must-watch for fans of serious cinema and of course the many admirers of Satyajit Ray too.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Hisaab Barabar: Uneven screenplay ails Madhavan’s well intentioned fight against corruption

Ashwini Dhar’s Hisaab Barabar has its heart in the right place. The movie wants to educate the viewers about financial scams which common men often tend to overlook.

Through the central character played by R Madhavan, the movie wants to make the viewers more aware of the snowballing effect of corruption and how we should be extra vigilant.

These themes are indeed thought-provoking but Ashwini Dhar’s treatment leaves a lot to be desired.

Synopsis

The story of Hisaab Barbar focuses on an extremely righteous railway ticket examiner Radhe Mohan Sharma (a sincere R Madhavan). Radhe Mohan Sharma is an expert at accounts, his maths never goes wrong.

One day he notices a small discrepancy of ₹27.50 in his bank account. Upon further investigation, Sharma comes across a major financial scam worth ₹2, 400 crores. This financial scam has been orchestrated by a greedy banker Micky Mehta (an over-the-top but fun Neil Nitin Mukesh).

As Radhe navigates the various layers of corruption and bureaucracy he is confronted with various hurdles both professional and personal.

The other important character is played by Kriti Kulhari, the character Poonam Joshi starts as a love interest but as the plot progresses her real identity turns out to be something else.

On the shoulders of Madhavan

Neil Nitin Mukesh in Hisaab Barabar
Neil Nitin Mukesh in ‘Hisaab Barabar’. (X)

What saves Hisaab Barabar from completely falling off is undoubtedly the sincerity of R Madhavan. As the humble ticket collector facing off corrupt businessman R Madhavan does a very good job of portraying both vulnerability and determination.

He brings an emotional heft to the role, particularly in the portions where both his professional and personal life come to a standstill.

Niel Nitin Mukesh as the over-the-top antagonist often borders on being a caricature still it is clear that the actor has had a blast.

He chews the scenery with gleeful abandon perfectly oscillating between being menacing and also raising chuckles. His performance and characterization work as a perfect contrast to R Madhavan’s grounded act. The interplay between the two characters is undoubtedly a major plus for the movie.

Kriti Kulhari as Poonam Joshi has various shades, starting off as a love interest and then to her real identity. Kriti Kulhari does a very fine job although the romantic track between her and Madhavan comes across as a major speedbreaker.

The movie’s ultimate message about a common man’s strength and how with great determination one can overcome numerous challenges is indeed admirable. It leaves the viewers with a good feeling.

Flaws

Kriti Kulhari in Hisaab Barabar
Kriti Kulhari in ‘Hisaab Barabar’. (x)

As far as the flaws go, the biggest minus of Hisaab Barbar is the tonal inconsistencies, the balance between light-hearted humour and the seriousness required leaves a lot to be desired.

The attempt to inject humour in some of the crucial scenes leaves a very bad taste, a good example of this is a major scuffle between R Madhavan and a bank employee.

Instead of being taut and intense, the entire portion is reduced to a silly gag. The film also suffers from certain filminess, the resolution to the tussle between R Madhavan’s Radhe Mohan and Niel Nitin Mukesh’s Mickey cultivates in an overtly simplistic mode.

The operation of financial crimes also lacks the necessary depth, particularly for the more discerning audience, the production values are of a very low standard. The movie’s low budget is clearly visible in the tacky cinematography of Santhosh Thundiyil.

Final take

To sum it up Hisaab Barabar is a decent watch if you are looking for a time pass movie and are an R Madhavan admirer.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Paatal Lok Season 2 : Fantastic deep dive into Nagaland’s socio-political landscape

For those who haven’t seen the first season of Paatal Lok, it was loosely inspired by Tarun Tejpal’s Novel The Story of My Assassins.

Acclaimed actor Neeraj Kabhi played the role of the journalist-novelist Tarun Tejpal. The show revolved around an assassination attempt gone wrong. Jaideep Ahlawat played a low-ranking officer called Hathiram Chaudhary.

Hathiram is suddenly assigned a high-profile case changing his life forever. The series also took inspiration from the traditional concepts of heaven, earth and hell.

These served as metaphors to explore the different classes of India along with other aspects. Through a police procedure, various burning topics like caste atrocities, media biases and Islamophobia among others were explored in an impactful manner.

Apart from Jaideep Ahlawat’s stellar act, the first season is also remembered for Abhishek Banerjee’s deadly Vishal Hathoda, a notorious hitman with a love for dogs.

The role of Vishal Hathoda showcased a different facet of him; Abhishek got rave reviews for his excellent act. After a gap of five years, Paatal Lok Season 2 has arrived amidst high expectations.

Bingeworthy season 2

Jaideep Ahlawat in Paatal Lok Season
Jaideep Ahlawat in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’. (X)

Thankfully the second season turns out to be even more bingeworthy. What sets apart the second season is the setting of Nagaland, giving the viewers a new perspective on the socio-political situation of the state.

Just like the first season the second one also starts as a police procedural. The plot begins with the brutal murder of Jonathom Thom, a prominent personality of Nagaland.

Jonathom Thom was deeply involved in the peace process of the state involving 20, 000 crore investment. On the surface, this may appear as a simple peace process but there is a lot at stake for the local government.

Running parallel to this is the case of a missing daily wage labourer and a nightclub dancer. Hathiram Chaudhary is investigating this. On the other hand, Ishwak Singh who played Constable Ansari in the first season is now an IPS officer.

Ansari has deep respect for Hathiram’s honesty and investigation skills in spite of being in a higher place. As the plot progresses these threads become intertwined.

The eight-episode saga covers a vast range of topics like the socio-political turmoil of the North East, and the struggles of orphans who fall into the trap of crime.

Nagaland politics

Ishwak Singh in Paatal Lok Season 2
Ishwak Singh in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’. (X)

A major USP of Paatal Lok Season 2 is undoubtedly its depiction of Nagaland politics. The contrast between the beautiful landscapes with the immense turmoil of the local population has been wonderfully depicted.

The writing team of the second season which also includes Abhishek Banerjee does a terrific job of bringing alive the ethnic clashes between the different groups.

One of the major themes in Paatal Lok season 2 is the insider versus outsider topic. There is a section of people who have come from outside creating their own identity. Despite being Nagaland residents for a long time, they have to pay a certain amount of money to a local group in the hope of ensuring their safety.

But sometimes even that doesn’t work. This comes out strikingly in a conversation between Haitharam and a local business family.

The character of Haitharam serves as a medium to make the viewers more aware of the major conflicts involving the North East.

Women stuck in oppressive system

The series also does a terrific job of exploring the plight of the numerous women stuck in an oppressive system. Director Avinash Arun Dhaware along with the writers presents this in a hard-hitting manner through the characters of Rose Lizo and Aslena Thom.

One is a young woman battling addiction; the other is a conflicted widow. Through these subplots, a strong statement is made about the numerous trials and tribulations faced by those living on the fringes of society.

The supporting cast has numerous actors from the Northeast. All of them do a very good job in their respective roles adding a certain authenticity. Avinash Arun Dhaware deserves a major appreciation for casting northeastern actors in supporting parts as this adds to the immersive experience giving it a rooted feel.

Characterisation

Apart from the political aspects, the interpersonal relationships particularly the one between Hathiram and Ansari have been brilliantly written and enacted. Both Haithram and Ansari are unsure of how to behave with each other given the shift in power dynamics.

This aspect also gives the show some of its best moments; an underlying thread of friendship despite the awkward scenarios has come out wonderfully.

Paatal Lok Season 2 is a crime thriller
‘Paatal Lok Season 2’ is a crime thriller. (X)

Special mention must also be made of Tillotama Shome’s SP Meghana Barua. A mother of a six-year-old son and a local police officer who has established her space in what is generally considered as a male bastion.

Meghana’s knowledge of local politics adds a fresh dimension. Tillotama does a fantastic job of portraying the different nuances although the character could have been more developed.

Gul Panag reprising her role of Hathiram’s wife doesn’t get a lot to do just like in the first season, still, she shines bright in the emotional scenes. Director Nagesh Kukunoor as the shrewd businessman with several skeletons in his closet also makes a strong impact.

As Haithram Jaideep immerses himself coming with a superlative act again, the way he portrays the strong determination while battling both professional and personal issues is a sheer delight to watch.

Ishwak Singh is also terrific giving solid support as a young police officer dealing with the complexities of his new role.

Final take

To sum it up Paatal Lok Season 2 is absolutely binge-worthy, and a must-watch for fans of Paatal Lok Season One, and Jaideep Ahalwat admirers.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Black Warrant web series review: A gritty insider account into the functioning of Asia’s biggest prison— Tihar

For those who are not aware Vikramaditya Motwane’s latest work is based on the novel of the same name Black Warrant.

It was written by a jailer about the notorious functioning of the Tihar Jail set in the 80’s.

The novel explores the intricate power structure and the various hierarchies based on both caste and religion.

Synopsis

In this web series adaption of the novel Zahan Kapoor plays Sunil Gupta, a shy and confused man starting off as a meek person who eventually grows in confidence and becomes a determined jailer wanting to bring reform. And he eventually does succeed as well.

Sunil Gupta is credited with starting Tihar’s first legal aid cell. The series showcases the various experiences of Sunil starting from his meeting with the enigmatic Charles Sobharaj (a charming Siddhant Gupta).

Then you have also got the killers of PM Indira Gandhi among many others. Rahul Bhatt plays the morally grey deputy jailer Tomar. The other important characters are played by Paramveer Cheema and Anurag Thakur.

Strengths of the series

Zahan Kapoor in Black Warrant
Zahan Kapoor in ‘Black Warrant’. (X)

A strong aspect of Black Warrant is the authentic depiction of the prison world with no artificiality. The division of the prisoners based on their caste, religion and money has come out strongly in numerous scenes.

The operation of the numerous gangs within the prison makes the viewers think about the flawed system where there isn’t much scope for reform. The web series also touches upon the plight of innocent prisoners, the category who are a victim of some malicious police officers.

Black Warrant also dwells on how the prisoners are often viewed as inhuman by the jail authorities. There is a brilliant scene involving a research scholar. This person comes to Tihar jail to get a psychological insight into the minds of prisoners. As a response an inmate says “Why do you want to do research on people like us struck in a cage are we animals?”

To this, the character says, “I am researching to prove you people are not animals.” This perfectly sums up the general attitude of the jail authorities. There is a deeply disturbing portion when Sunil along with his colleagues finds out about a senior jailor making money by depriving the prisoners of their basic needs.

Strong characterisation

Another big strength of Black Warrant is the characterization of Zahan Kapoor. The character of Sunil starts off as a vulnerable young man who in no way looks like a tough jailor capable of controlling the prison inmates but as the series progresses we see Sunil getting more confident.

Black Warrant is a jail drama
‘Black Warrant’ is a jail drama. (X)

There is a palpable determination in the way he wants to bring out prison reforms. Zahan does a very good job of bringing out these nuances. The young actor proves that he is truly worthy of the illustrious Kapoor lineage.

The web series also dwells on how the lives of Jailers aren’t very glamorous at least back in the 80’s. There is an important scene where Sunil’s father tells his son to not reveal his profession while seeing a prospective bride, however, Sunil doesn’t follow his father’s advice, instead, he talks about his profession with absolute honesty.

Black Warrant also works due to the way the other important characters have been written with utmost care. Both Anurag Thakur and Paramveer Cheema also have solid graphs. The camaraderie shared between the characters isn’t hammered in; still, it works strong when required.

Many of the subplots in the web series are inspired by real-life incidents from the times of Indira Gandhi’s government. Certain capital punishments reflect deeply entranced class and casteist biases.

Then you also have the prisoners belonging to a more affluent part of the prison. A serial killer is seen roaming free; there is also an instigator of murder getting plenty of time to have romantic meetings. Apart from these you also have the arrest of JNU Students. There is a hilarious scene exposing the incompetent nature of jail staff.

Technical aspects and performances

Saumyananda Sahi’s cinematography is another major plus. He does a very good in recreating both the 80’s atmosphere and also the grittiness of the prison portions.

Apart from Zahan Kapoor’s breakthrough performance the show also benefits from Rahul Bhatt’s stellar turn. As a mostly self-serving boss with moments of genuine empathy for his fellow men Rahul Bhatt is simply fantastic.

Sidhant Gupta in the role of Charles Sobhraj has brief screen time but the young actor makes his presence amply felt. He perfectly captures the body language starting from the accented dialogue delivery.

The women characters in Black Warrant are mostly relegated to the background except for Rajshri Deshpande— as the firebrand reporter. This is only the slight flaw of the web series.

Final take

Overall Black Warrant is a must-watch for those who like gritty stories based on real-life incidents.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Girls Will Be Girls: A layered story of adolescence driven by a fantastic cast

Girls Will Be Girls movie image

Director Shuchi Talati does a wonderful job in exploring the complexities of Teenage. An important part of Girls Will Be girls is the theme of sexual awakening portrayed with lots of sensitivity

Starcast: Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, Kesav Binoy Kiron and others

Director and writer: Shuchi Talati

Producers: Richa Chaddha, Clarie Chassagne and Shuchi Talati

Production Companies: Pushing Buttons Studios, Blink Digital etc

Music: Pierre Oberkampf and Sneha Khanwalkar

Cinematography: Jih-E Peng

Running time: 1 hour and 58 minutes

Streaming site: Amazon Prime

The age of adolescence is a very complex period in the life of a teenager. Both mentally and physically there are major upheavals. Shuchi Talati’s story focuses on one such teenager without any commercialization.

Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kusruti in Girls Will Be Girls

The main plot of Girls Will Be Girls revolves around Mira ( Preeti Panigrahi) set in a boarding school. Preeti is both a class topper as well as a prefect. Kani Kusruti plays the protective mother Anila. There is a father too appearing occasionally. Mira’s life takes a major turn with the entry of a new joinee Srinivas ( Kesav Binoy Kiron). Mira starts developing feelings which includes sexual as well. While chatting with Srinivas over the phone Anila catches her daughter making it very clear that the two can only be friends and northing more. However Mira and Srinivas continue to pursue each other romantically. Soon Srinivas starts coming to Mira’s house developing a good rapport with Anila. This leads to a major tension as Mira feels that Srinivas is giving more attention to her mother. The rest of the story focuses on the new challenges that Mira faces and how she navigates adolescence.

Keshav Binoy Kiron as Srinivas

A strong aspect of Girls Will Be Girls is how Shuchi Talati portrays the physical changes that a teenager undergoes. For example there is a scene where Mira tries to appear sexy in the front of a ,mirror while lip syncing. Similarly there is also a bit of Mira trying to practice kissing. These moments have been presented with honesty making it relatable for many teenagers.

Apart from the challenges of adolescence Shuchi Talati also does a wonderful job in showcasing the complex mother and daughter dynamics. Their relationship has shades of jealousy with some unpleasant moments. Anila is an overprotective mother who has a hard time in dealing with her rebellious daughter. She wants to limit the physical and emotional intimacy of the two. The dynamics get further complicated when Srinivas gets closer to the mother, his proximity with Anila increases leading to a further divide. However beneath all the insecurities there is also mutual love which comes out strongly.

The complex mother and daughter dynamics

The movie’s pacing is deliberately slow but for a story of this nature it works perfectly. The build up to the bodily changes that Mira is undergoing has been portrayed with the right amount of sensitivity. The film dwells into the themes of sexuality from a female perspective showcasing how societal repression often comes in the way. This is something that we don’t see in the high testosterone male led cinema.

The scenes of Mira losing her virginity and the various feelings which come with it have been shot in an aesthetic manner with no titlation.

Mira’s sexual awakening

Shuchi Talati’s use of visual metaphors is also brilliant. These metaphors perfectly convey the internal struggle which the characters are going through on numerous occasions. The movie is a perfect example of how dialogues aren’t always needed to convey the emotional turmoil.

The performances of Preeti and Kani Kusruti also make this movie a major winner. Preeti Panigrahi had won the special jury award at 2024 Sundance Film Festival and she truly deserves it for her wonderful portrayal. She perfectly captures the vulnerability, defiance and the contradictions which a teenager goes through. She more than holds her own opposite the terrific Kani Kusruti. Speaking about Kani Kusruti the actress continues her terrific form showcasing her immense versatility post All We Imagine as Light. She does a superlative job in bringing out the turmoil of a woman who is grapping with her own desires while being a caring mother. As Srinivas Keshav Binoy Kiron has an easy charm blending in perfectly. He also brings in a sense of ambiguity adding an extra layer.

Mismatched Season 3 (Hindi web series) : A compelling portrait of love and identity in the age of digital paradox

Directors Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari dig deeper than the previous two instalments looking the dangers of the online personas that we create.
Mismatched Season 3 (Hindi), 13-12-2024, Romance, Comedy, Drama, 8 episodes, A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Rohit Saraf, Prajakta Koli, Muskkaan Jaferi, Taaruk Raina, Laurena Robinson and Rannvijay Singha
  • Director: Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari
  • Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
  • Music Director: Jasleen Royal and Anurag Saikia
  • Cinematography: Sudip Sengupta
  • Rating: 3.5/5

For those who haven’t seen the first two seasons of Mismatched, the plot revolves around two diametrically different personalities.

Rohit Saraf’s Rishi is a young man with traditional notions of romance. Prajakta Koli’s Dimple is a tech-savvy girl with contrastingly different views on love and marriage. The series is based on the book titled When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Her perception regarding marriage has zero similarities with Rishi’s filmy ideas. The two have a disastrous first meeting but a summer program brings them together despite the contrasting personalities.

The first two seasons primarily explored the themes of love, coming of age and societal expectations. All this resonated well with the younger audiences making it a popular show.

What also made the first two seasons popular was its supporting cast led by Taaruk Raina and Muskkaan Jafferi.

Taaruk Raina’s character Ammol represents the struggles of disabled people in finding normalcy. To cover up his emotional vulnerabilities he behaves like a bully pretending to be a tough guy. Muskkaan Jafferi’s Celina on the other hand is also someone who pretends to be brave but has secrets of her own.

Synopsis

Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli
Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli. (X)

Coming to Mismatched Season 3 the plot shifts from Jaipur to Hyderabad. The beginning episodes focus on their long-distance relationship.

Rishi is doing very well in NNIT run by Nandini Nahata (Dipannita Sharma). Dimple on the other hand is grappling with a lack of self-confidence, the reason being she couldn’t secure a place for herself in NNIT.

Their long-distance relationship soon starts cracking leading to a major strain. Dimple eventually makes an important decision to join Siddarth, Nandini’s rival’s (Rannvijay Singha) new institute which is conveniently located right next to NNIT. This move of Dimple isn’t just about beginning her career afresh but it’s also about staying close to Rishi.

The rest of the story focuses on the complexities of career ambitions and relationships coupled with the evolving dynamics of a fresh batch.

Strong points

Akarsh Khurana directorial Mismatched Season 3
Akarsh Khurana’s directorial ‘Mismatched Season 3’. (X)

A strong aspect of Mismatched Season 3 is the exploration of digital paradox through a project called Betterverse. This Betterverse, also called metaverse is a virtual reality space where the users can live out all their wildest fantasies, has been created by Rishi and Co. The central conflict of Mismatched Season 3 is this digital utopia.

On paper, this project looks very exciting as the players can live out their hidden fantasies but as the story progresses the characters find difficulty in drawing a much-needed line between the real and the virtual world.

Directors Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadikiri have done a terrific job in exploring this theme. Many youngsters and also extremely tech-savvy people would definitely relate to this.

Among the flaws, the characterization of Dipannita Sharma’s Miss Nandini could have been done with more nuances. She is mostly seen shouting at the top of her voice. This gets jarring after a point.

Also, the students aren’t seen attending much of theory and practical classes, also the atmosphere of the college often comes across as more of a corporate world than a tech college.

Strong characterisation 

A still from the series Mismatched Season 3
A still from the series ‘Mismatched Season 3’. (X)

Mismatched Season 3 deals with the new challenges faced by Dimple and Rishi. Before starting this project Betterverse Rishi was introspective and slightly insecure but post becoming the leader his personality undergoes a significant change.

He somewhat drifts away from his original persona leading to some cracks in the relationship with Dimple. He finds a lot of success in Betterverse but this success comes with a certain cost too.

Dimple on the other hand is facing the dual pressure of wanting to carve a space for herself in the world of coding and technology and having a solid love life. The colliding worlds of real and virtual have been wonderfully written and enacted.

The complexities here go beyond navigating romantic feelings; they also involve figuring out your true self and staying true to it. This is a difficult task, given the challenges of the digital age. All of this has been presented in a raw and unfiltered manner, without beating around the bush or trying to sugarcoat it.

Supporting characters

Ahsaas Channa and Taaruk Raina in Mismatched Season 3
Ahsaas Channa and Taaruk Raina in ‘Mismatched Season 3’. (X)

What also adds to the impact of the third season are its supporting characters both the older ones and the fresh entrants. A particular mention must be made of the track involving Lauren Robinson’s Rith.

Rith is assigned female at birth and wants to transition and come out of the closet. The romantic track between Rith and Muskkann Jaferi is wonderful to watch. Through the track of Rith, the directors have touched upon the difficulties faced by the transgender community in embracing their real identity.

Talking about the older characters both Muskkann and Taaruk Raina successfully take off from the previous ones providing solid support to Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli.

Performances

Talking about the leads, both Rohit Saraf and Prajakta are in wonderful form perfectly imbibing the fresh nuances. The chemistry between them in both the light and emotional scenes is a delight to watch.

The self-discovery of Muskkann’s character runs parallel to that of Dimple and the actress does a fantastic job in showcasing the different nuances. Taaruk Raina is also equally good bringing in both humour and solid emotions.

Special mention must also be made of Laurena Robinson. Laurena is first-rate in portraying the identity struggle of Rith.

The music much like the first two seasons plays an important role in enhancing the story. Tracks like “Ishq Hai”, “Do Din Ke Bad” and “Pyaar Hai” perfectly capture the joys and the internal struggles faced by the characters at different junctures.

Final take

Keeping aside these niggles Mismatched Season 3 streaming on Netflix makes for a good watch, particularly for those who like soothing love stories with a dash of technology.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Agni : A heartfelt tribute to the bravery of fire-fighters

The movie makes you feel for the numerous trials and tribulations of firefighters, something that we as a common man don’t fully appreciate.
Agni (Hindi), 05-12-2024, Action, Drama, 2 hours, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Divyendu Sharma, Jitendra Joshi, and Saiyami Kher
  • Director: Rahul Dholakia
  • Producer: Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidwani
  • Music Director: John Stewart Eduri
  • Cinematography: KU Mohanan
  • Rating: 3.5/5

Given Indian cinema’s obsession with men in uniform it is surprising that we haven’t had a full-fledged movie so far on the lives of firefighters.

Rahul Dholakia best known for his brilliant Parzania (2005), in Agni streaming on Prime Video, takes a deep dive into the many dangers that these fire-fighters put themselves in.

The movie makes you feel for the numerous trials and tribulations, something that we as a common man don’t fully appreciate.

Synopsis

The story of Agni revolves around the investigation of uncovering a dangerous plot behind the periodic fires in the high-rise buildings of Mumbai. These events follow a particular pattern hinting at arson.

Pratik Gandhi plays Vitthal Rao, the head of a fire station. He and his team risk their lives daily without the recognition they deserve. Divyendu Sharma plays Samit Sawant, Vitthal Rao’s brother-in-law and a successful police officer with more material comforts than the former.

Parallel to the investigation, there is also a subplot of interpersonal relationships, in which, Vitthal Rao’s son considers Samit as his hero instead of his own father.

Social commentary

Agni is directed by Rahul Dholakia
‘Agni’ is directed by Rahul Dholakia. (X)

An important aspect of Agni is its impactful social commentary. As the story is about the fire accidents, the makers also dvelve into the risks of illegal buildings, these include restaurants and other public spaces which more often than not accommodate far more people than allowed.

Rahul Dholakia and Vijay Maurya make some important points about the construction of illegal buildings and the risks involved due to the lack of safety protocols. These have come out in a hard-hitting manner making the viewers ponder about the government’s poor handling of basic civic safety.

In spite of all this, the firemen put their lives at stake in order to save as many as they could, in the process losing their lives too.

Agni also scores in how it captures the trauma that a firefighter undergoes. The CGI fire coupled with the shots of flames taking over the sky-high buildings sends a shiver down the viewer’s spine. The movie keeps the viewers on edge over whether the firemen would successfully come out of those flames.

The dynamics between Vitthal Rao and Samit Sawant add a layer of humour to the otherwise tense proceedings. The rivalry between the two could have done with a little more depth. Still, there are numerous entertaining moments. Divvyendu Sharma as Samit Sawant successfully plays to the gallery and works a perfect contrast to Pratik Gandhi’s serious persona.

Performances and technical aspects

Still from the film Agni
Still from the film ‘Agni’. (X)

Talking about Pratik Gandhi, the Scam 1992 actor continues to prove his versatility with an arresting portrayal of a firefighter navigating the various challenges of his dangerous profession.

The way Pratik portrays Vitthal’s inner demons is exemplary, to say the least. Among the other actors, Saiyami Kher also strikes a chord with her emotional act. Her character brings in a different layer as the prominent woman among the male firefighters.

Agni also benefits from the constant twists and turns particularly in the second half. Just when the viewers think they have figured everything out, the movie comes up with an unexpected twist.

Among the technical departments, the production design and the cinematography deserve distinction marks for a job very well done. The recreation of the fire station has an authenticity to it. Also, the first-rate cinematography of KU Mohanan further helps in creating a palpable tension.

Talking about the slight flaws, the movie needed to explore the animosity between Vitthal and Samit in greater detail. Also, a subplot involving a builder’s assassination doesn’t add much value to the proceedings.

Final take

Keeping these small hiccups aside, Agni is a gripping emotional drama with elements of action and thrills.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar : Not Neeraj Pandey’s best still this heist thriller has its high points

The central performances of Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill majorly contribute in making the movie engaging even when things go astray.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (Hindi), 29-11-2024, Drama, Thriller, 2 hours 23 minutes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Rajeev Mehta
  • Director: Neeraj Pandey
  • Producer: Shital Bhatia
  • Music Director: Payal Dev
  • Cinematography: Arvind Singh
  • Rating: 3/5

Neeraj Pandey’s latest work plays along the lines of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables. There are themes of moral ambiguity and the relentless persuasion of a cop spanning across years.

More than a thriller Sikandar Ka Muqaddar streaming on Netflix, works as an interesting character study of two individuals whose lives undergo a significant change in the backdrop of a heist.

Synopsis

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar begins off on a high note. A heist happens at a diamond exhibition in the year 2009. Jimmy Shergill’s Jaswinder Singh zeroes on three suspects based on his instincts, something that Jaswinder is very proud of.

The suspects are Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary), Kamini Singh (Tamannah Bhatia) and Mangesh Desai (Rajiv Mehta). As Jawinder Singh gets deeper into the case the pursuit turns into an endless obsession significantly affecting both his personal and professional life.

Eventually, no one is convicted and the case gradually slips away from people’s memory but Jaswinder is thoroughly convinced that one of the three has definitely stolen the diamond. His primary suspect is Sikandar Sharma. This is the story in brief.

What works and what doesn’t

Stills from the film Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Stills from the film ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’. (X)

Director Neeraj Pandey along with co-writer Vipul K Rawal waste no time in setting up the proceedings, Jaswinder Singh’s questioning of the three suspects and his strong belief in instincts pique the viewer’s interest in who stole the diamond.

Things are gripping till the point of no convictions being made and Jaswinder Singh losing his job. The movie starts stagnating once it gets into the mode of non-linear storytelling. The constant intercuts do more harm than good.

However, the flashback portion does have some good stretches too. The best is Sikandar’s character battling one major hardship after the other. Also, no character is completely good or evil here. Whether it is the suspects or the cop they come across as individuals driven by the circumstances around them.

Sikandar’s struggles have been shown in detail and it does strike an emotional chord. The film though could have done a little more exploration of Jaswinder’s life post his suspension. Having said that the scars left by the passage of time come across strongly.

Apart from the constant intercuts the movie does suffer from being a slow burn testing the viewer’s patience. The ending also lacks the punch that Neeraj Pandey is known for in his previous movies like Baby (2015) and Special Chabbis (2013).

Performances

Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia in ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’. (X)

A strong aspect of Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is undoubtedly the strong acting performances particularly that of Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill. Both the actors rise above the uneven material keeping the viewers invested. Jimmy Shergill who had played the role of a cop previously in films like A Wednesday, managed to bring freshness to this role too.

The character of Jaswinder starts as a cop with a perfect record but soon becomes a wreck in his relentless pursuit. Jimmy does a fantastic job of portraying the various nuances. The fall from grace could have been better explored, yet Jimmy makes the viewers feel the pain of Jaswinder.

Avinash Tiwary is also wonderful as the man who rebuilds his life amidst the constant harassment. He particularly shines in portraying the emotional turmoil of Sikandar.

Apart from these two, Tamannah Bhatia also makes a striking impact as a single mother with secrets of her own. Despite lesser screen time the actress does a very fine job in making the viewers empathize with Kamini’s problems.

Final take

To sum it up Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has good performances and some strong passages making it watchable.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)