Gulmohar

Gulmohar is a drama film directed by rahul v chittella.

Manoj bajpayee and sharmila tagore are the souls of this film. The chemistry and the acting crescendos that happen between the duo is marvellous. So much of these two legends are still untapped, i feel. Simran as arun's wife plays the mediator wonderfully. Stuff has hit the fan and she is the calmest and subtlest of all. The rest of the characters in their roles are perfect.

This film gets the relationships and its complexities on point. When a major conflict is discovered, all the relationships are put to a test. Arun, on his hurtful resentments with his mom ends with a heartfelt closure. But not every relationship gets a closure is the major crux. Arun and his son's conflict is still unsolved yet they choose to be together and have fun. The love between the cook and guard was the best executed. How one's illiteracy and unworthy of someone can fuel jealousy and futile ego is brilliantly shed light upon, without villainizing them. The lesbian angle is touched on the surface though. It required more depth.

The cinematography is outstanding. The use of natural light and light yellow hue provides warmth. The music is soulful and artistic. The use of bgm is minimal.

The screenplay thought engaging lacks pace and sometimes warmth too. The angle of adi's startup feels overwrought and tiring. Similarly, arun's mom's flashback portions is also half-hearted. Needed better writing.

This is a wonderful film which has a lot of warmth and good vibes. You will surely love it.

Gulmohar The last 4 days of the Batra family as they move out from their home of many years and shift to another city.

While they are staying in a single house there are differences and friction with many of them not in talking terms.

As the movie starts with a party you are immediately engrossed in whats happening in the family as you get to know each of the characters and their secrets as it unfolds.

Debutant director Rahul has a good mix of stalwarts and fresh starcast who do an excellent job in elevating the movie.

Manoj - He is the soul of Gulmohar. He brings multiple nuances to the character with eye to details which is a treat to to watch. His connect with his biological father, his bonding with his wife simran, his connect with his mom, his stained relationship with his son. Manoj is in full form. Watch him try to stop a fight between his watchman and supervisor and in the end hitting the watchman, thats superb acting. Also the scene in the end here he embraces his mom waiting with open arms will make you cry.

Sharmila - A comback after many years, she gives everything to the role. She is superb.

Simran - She was the surprise package with a towering performance. A sthe person who holds the family together she is great. Her scenes with manoj are scene stealer. Hope she gets to do more of similar strong roles.

There are some more stand out performances worth mentioning: Suraj Sharma stands out in his role.

Jetendra as the watchman Reshma as the house help.

Gulmohar is breathtaking. It is so beautifully weaved, almost felt like I am watching performances through a glass window. It was surreal, the direction to the writing to the screenplay, to everything.

It's not something that one would enjoy in their leisure time. It takes time to build its base, (a slow burner) the director demands his audience to go on this journey along with him and his vision. All you have to do is follow his lead, and when you do you will be mesmerized.

Gulmohar, in my opinion, concluded appropriately since it leaves you wondering what comes next without giving too much away. It gives you just enough information to believe what seems most reasonable to you, everyone must have their own perception of how a story should pan out.

Manoj Bajpayee is not a subject I want to bring up. Since we are well aware of his identity and filmography. I could literally sit and watch this man do nothing for 12 hours and never get tired of it. This man is our National Treasure.

Gulmohar focuses on dysfunctional family's last four days in their home before they shirt permanently to their new homes and lives respectively. Hidden truth, insecurities make their way out as the family members try hard to keep it together. It indeed is a touching concept to dwell into a family's attachment to the house they grew up in. Gulmohar has several endearing characters and their internal conflicts highly relatable.

The short coming is how much it relies on dialogues to convey the emotions, to an extent they tend to touch the surface of several conflicts. It is indeed the Veteran actors who effortlessly get into the skin of these characters and elevate each of these scenes. One wishes the conflict point within the family with respect to the written will was much stronger, especially the final conversation between Sharmila Tagore and Amol Palekar.

I am going with the extra rating solely for the reveal in the end about Pondicherry. Otherwise I definitely wished the conversation between Sharmila Tagore and her grand daughter to be more real. But the attempt to make the flashback more emotional, it limits itself in handling the sensitive moment. The screenplay has it's flaws but the lovable characters turn this into a decent watch.

While moving out from their old house of 34 years family experiences different emotions, learn different expects of their relations and discovers something different in them.

The movie is all about this heartfelt story written by directer Rahul V Chitella and Arpita Mukherjee which is along with great performances by the cast specially Sharmila Tagore, Manoj Bajpayee,Amol Palekar and others. You feel with them and experience their emotions which create a connect with the audience and made it a heartfelt watch.

The music given by Prasad S N and songs penned by Tanveer Ghazi are also endearing. This should be in your must watch list this weekend.