Skip to main content

English Vinglish - how sweet, how savory, how sridevi!


Is it just a coincidence that Gauri Shinde’s chose her protagonist to be an “entrepreneur” of Laddoos? A Laddoo looks deceptively simple, but is just as difficult to make- ever running the risk that it might turn over-sweet, a little carelessness and the look might be unwelcoming.  And that’s how much thought and care Shinde puts into the movie – there is so much love, care and detailing she pours into every frame that she, like the character in her film, ensures a perfectly brilliant looking, delicious and yet not over-sweet film.

No. This is not a complicated film – there is no disability at its core, there is nothing shattering about the pathos of the character, but yet, there is everything relatable about the character of the movie. Shashi (Sridevi) is your typical Indian middle-class housewife – who is made feel incompetent simply because she struggles to throw an English phrase or two at a breakfast table. Or if she insists that the English teacher speak to her in Hindi.  So what if she makes the best laddoos in the world and have a small business of her own - Can she say “Jazz” without embarrassing her family?

The ever so inferior feeling Shashi, takes the gutsy step to visit the US a few weeks ahead of the rest of her family for her nieces wedding. And there begins a journey – a series of random acts of kindness from strangers who seem to belittle her weakness and not her. Enter Amitabh Bachhan who reminds her in a stellar cameo, that as Indians we have so much to be proud of that not knowing English, is hardly a concern – let alone being an inhibiting complex that’s stopping Shashi from enjoying her first experience in “the” United states of America.

And what an experience it is. As quirky as Man-hat-tan is for a tourist, even ordering coffee can be a traumatic chaos for a Pune housewife – who just wants sandwich and Nescafe. There is embarrassment coupled with an unrelenting search for self-worth that persuades Shashi to join English “tuition” – her little secret project.

Day one - and she learns she is not just a housewife who also makes laddoos but an entrepreneur –the most dignified interpretation of her existence the recent times. The tuition itself is a motley bunch of stereotypes (?) – ranging from a gay teacher, to a Mexican nanny, a paki cabbie, a south Indian techie et al. In the classroom Shashi is the smarter cookie (aka Hermoine of Harry Potter) always the one asking intelligent questions, bringing idlis to a craving south Indian. Unsurprisingly, the French Chef (Mehdi Nebbuo) falls for her – calling her face two drops of coffee in a cup of milk. Shinde casts a competent cast and gives them substantial meat so they don’t get overshadowed by the shining leading lady.

But does Shashi need love? Or just some respect? Whether she succeeds in earning her family’s respect or will she go back to being a housewife “born to make laddoos”?

Gauri handles these questions in the subtlest and most sensitive manner. There is not one moment of over dramatization. Not once does Shashi “strike back” like a vengeance to prove a point, but the grace with which she tackles her “final exam” leaves both her family members and the audience in awe of her. She doesn’t want rapturous applause (which the audience gives her anyways) – but simply speak her mind in simple (almost clean) English.

Helped by some excellent writing and dialogues, the film not once loses its grip. The music is a part of the narrative and lyrics interpret the situation well – the small triumphs of the title track and the little fears of parting from the family in Dhak dhuk, leave a lasting impression. The cinematographer presents uses a palette that compliments the film with a timeless grace. Particularly, Shashi’s awe of watching New York for the first time translates beautifully on screen.

Once known as the female Amitabh Bacchan, Sridevi returns to the silver screen to remind us why we missed her. In absence of stalwart leading ladies like her (and others of her time like Shabana in 80s or Madhuri in 90s), we have learnt to believe that women only need to be pretty arm candies, or at max have 1 or 2 melodramatic sequences in a movie, but quintessentially – she needs to be an item girl.

Trust Sri to break that mindset, once and for all. It won’t be overstatement to say that in ~ 130 minutes, Sridevi delivers more acting than we have seen in 130 movies in the last decade by so called actresses. Here’s hoping she is cast in many such roles. And remember, this isn’t everything we know she is capable of – the film doesn’t completely exploit her comic timing or her ability to dance. There is so more we expect to see of her.

Gauri Shinde  - take a bow. Another lady director has brought in a perspective, without being too artsy. You are master chef yourself and you know your recipe like you’ve made movies forever– all ingredients are in perfect sync and the flavor is impeccable. It is an amazing treat and meant to touch every person with a heart. Enough said – please start writing your next movie. Can’t wait to see what you do next.

Like a laddoo you don’t want to miss and repent all your life – you better grab a bite soon!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

5 points about 3 idiots... Lot's in the name!

5 points about 3 idiots... Lot's in the name! Kartik KJ When I saw news clippings of the war of words between 3 idiots team and the writer of 5 point someone, I was moved to think and heres what I personally feel. its 5 points really.. (pun probably intented). 1. Is this a marketing gimmick? Sorry Chetan, but that's the first thing that comes to my mind. For of late, bollywood has stooped to abysmal levels to get people into movie halls. I am thinking, this is a reallllly cheap one (if it is, and I hope it isn't). Do you need such a bad gimmick for a film as strong as this one. But then again, this was the same team that withdrew the trailer of Prakash Jhas Raajneeti from the films launch, because they 'would rather do away with the trailer than have people distracted from 3 Idiots'. ???????? Duh!! Can a 3 minute trailer (I dont know the length really, but how big can a trailer be??) take away from the brilliant film that 3 idiots is???? Can crediting the author re...

The rest is of course--- Hissss-story

Some suggestions to recover from the recent insults: May be Mallika Sherawat should walk the red carpet in CWG 2010 - like she did in Cannes with snakes all over her– some positive would come out of it.. all this snake spotiing can be camouflaged by calling it a promotional activity for her latest ‘international’ film – hissss! Wink, wink. Or why not have the Wildlife SOS team in cultural outfits (aka Amrish Puri in Nagina..) Spot a snake? And you just won an exclusive show of the “SnakeCharmers of India” . Congratulations on winning the “Incredible India” experience.. Goes well with the ‘land of snake charmers’ image that we have fought O-so-hard against. Funny, eh? The sarcasm is a result of both – embarrassment and anger. Some say it is media that has unnecessarily highlighted just the negatives. Others say that the under preparedness of the venue exposes the deep-rooted corruption and inefficiencies of the system. I don’t know which one is right. But the fact remains, that it d...

Bajirao Mastani - an epic SLB spectacle!

Bhansali ne Bajirao pe film banayi hai; Documentary Nahi!  I want to start my review with those lines simply to act as a disclaimer (much like the movie) to confirm that my views are of this movie as a movie and not as a piece of historic documentation of a much loved and respected character or a review of how well the film recreates the details of an era, which even historians agree isn't well documented. So then..  Everyone has a weakness and mine is mainstream Bollywood.. Every time a big budget multi starrer is in the making, I'm busy following up on it and eagerly awaiting the release. Add to it an A-list cast, appetising promos and interesting music, and I can't wait any more. Obviously, I was looking forward to Bajirao Mastani - a magnum opus by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is arguably the most gifted visualiser of our times - love them or hate them, you can't ignore that with every movie Bhansali has made, he has created unforgettable images. And who d...