Film: Behen Hogi Teri

Date: 9 June 2017

Director: Ajay K Pannalal

Producer: Odd Ball Motion Pictures

Stars: Rajkumar Rao, Shruti Haaasan

Ratings: 4 stars

Gattu is anxiously waiting for his friend Bhoora and as soon as he spots him, Gattu jumps out of the window and all of them escape to a secluded place. It is their Boys day out because if today they are visible anywhere in the neighborhood the dada-daadis and the naana-naanis will forcibly turn them into brothers of all the single girls in the locality. Today is Raksha Bandhan, the martyr day for the boys! 

Written by Viniteet- Rajat and directed by Ajay Pannalal Behan Hogi Teri is the love-hate story of Lucknow-based Gattu/ Rajkumar Rao and Binny/ Shruti Haasan, their friends, parents and extended families.

Gattu and Binny have grown up in the same mohalla and are accustomed to the seniors addressing them as siblings when the fact is that Gattu fantasises marrying his phataka Binny except that he does not have the courage to confess this to anybody including Binny!

What is appealing about the film is that it is a simple story of simple people who lead simple lives complicated by age-old conditions. Director Pannalal introduces you to the mindset and culture of Lucknow through his delicious writing and humour.  All his characters are uniquely original, be it hero’s father Darshan Jariwala, Gulshan Grover or the hero’s friend Bhoora or rival Rahul/ Gauutam Gulati.

All the actors are remarkable and deliver sparkling performances to an extent that there is really nothing to criticise in the film.

As Binny, Shruti Haasan is a spontaneous actor and breathtaking to look at. She is particularly amazing as the bride on the run when she depicts exasperation sitting on the bench without a single dialogue.

Rajkumar Rao who has so far excelled in histrionics, this time knocks us out with his super timing in comedy. His drunken brawl with his friend on the terrace late at night when he vents his frustration on Hindi film heroes is first rate and hilarious!

The story does not move out of the city of Lucknow in fact out of the mohalla and yet every moment is engaging!  There are no parallel tracks, no item numbers, no guest appearances and no superstars and despite it the narrative is thoroughly entertaining!

And most important, this is not a dimwitted entertainer without substance. The film raises an important issue like honour killing without being remotely preachy or didactic.

Behan Hogi Teri cannot be missed. Watch it with your sister, friend, beloved, rather your entire family. I rate Behan Hogi Teri with 4 stars.

Film Review: Dear Maya

Date: 03 June 2017

Director: Sunaina Bhatnagar

Cast: Manisha Koirala, Madiha Imam, Shreya Chaudhary

Rating: 2.5 stars

Maya lives in a sprawling mansion layered with cobwebs and not aired in years, she spends her day in the company of two dogs, one caretaker and many birds. Her neighbours in Shimla have never seen her in the courtyard or in the market. She spends her day stitching cloth doll, paints unsmiling faces and then ominously drapes them up in black shawls.

Anna a 9th-grade student at Loreto School is Maya’s adjoining neighbour and lives with her parents. Anna is insanely curious about Maya Devi’s intriguing past and shares minutest details with her friend Irra and the two of them come up with a plan to spice up Maya Devi’s drab life.  Their intention is noble but the plan misfires and the result are damaging!

Writer/ director Sunaina Bhatnagar has the ability to draw up unusual characters and dress them up in magical moments. Like Maya loves trees, plants, animals and birds but is allergic to people, crowd, noise, even sunlight. All the relationships in the film are special and writer very quietly and succinctly travels you into a world of roses and love letters, where passion reigns and hearts tremble.

The story travels from Shimla to Dilli and in a span of seven long years a lot changes in the life of Maya Devi, Anna and Irra. The film addresses many complex issues besides loneliness and deprivation. It mirrors complexity in friendship and most important, highlights a fast disappearing virtue in contemporary times called a ticking conscience.

All the performances – Anna’s parents, her Delhi boyfriend, her Shimla friend Irra are effortless and realistic. As Anna/ Madiha Imam enjoys the longest screen space and is a treat to watch her emote uninhibitedly.  Imam is wonderful when she cries, fights, laughs, sulks or romances.

Monisha Koirala portrays Maya Devi with alarming honesty.  Here is a performance completely devoid of vanity. When she is defeated, you feel suffocated and when she smiles, the skyline changes. There are immortal moments you carry home from the film. When she opens the stubborn windows and soaks in the sunlight. When she arrives in the big city and is forced to experiment with new cuisine. When she enters a store and pampers herself for the first time.

Part in Hindi and part in English, a wee bit new and a lot old world Dear Maya is a bit strange but a fragrant offering of present times. If you’ve been feeling low and want to change your perspective of life, drop a letter to Maya. I don’t need to share the address. It is showing at your neighbouring theatre.

I rate the upbeat Dear Maya with 2.5 stars.