Gulabo Sitabo

It was very pleasant to watch this movie. The storyline, acting and cinematography, altogether was very well put.

A very heart warming story yet a political satire executed in a much much monotonous manner. From nuisances of the two main leads, Shoojit Sircar gave a delicate message regarding greed and possession. The different shades of human nature highlighted in a humorous manner. The Cinematography of the movie was really awesome. The way the shots have been taken throughout Lucknow, it gave birth to a different cinematic perception. It includes some great performances like the ones from Big B, Vijay Raaz and Shristi Shrivastava. But I found Ayushman Khurana's performance a bit underwhelming in comparison to his previous performances. That may be due to the fake accent which he tried to make while delivering dialogues. Still the movie itself is one of a kind and beautiful like any other Shoojit Sircar's film. Do give it a watch.

Gulabo Sitabo is a well-crafted satirical film with a picturesquely crumbling mansion at its center. It's a film rich in details, be it the characters, relationships, desires, lust, insecurities, or the ploy. Amitabh Bachchan plays the grouchy 'Mirza' with a character actor's delicacy and attention to detail. Ayushmann Khurrana once again brings something new to the table with his body language, which portrays sadness and bitterness borne out of poverty. Vijay Raaz is effortless as ever, and Brijendra Kala is also terrific. Shrishti Shrivastava deserves a special mention. Last but not the least, Farrukh Jafar is an absolute delight to watch. Despite few dull moments and a bit slow, the film manages to string all the loose ends well together in the end. The thoughtfully well-written songs in the backdrop add texture to the film. In short, the film explores different traits of the mortals with an underlying message through a simple, quirky, and enchanting story in a subtly humorous way. In case you miss it, the director's nonchalant reference of the chair depicts it all in the end.

Amitabh Bachchan is one of the greatest actors that I can imagine, and with each new film he proves it beyond the slightest shadow of a doubt. In this film, he plays Mirza, a disgustingly greedy old miser, and his transformative acting elevates his name a little more in stature, if that sounds possible anymore. Hardly recognizable under heavy prosthetics, he erases everything he can possibly be associated with to become Mirza in a performance that is incredibly well-detailed and yet looks so unaffected and lacking in self-consciousness. With his blurry and indistinct speech, quiet tone, lame and gawky gait, and the watchfulness in his eyes as he attentively listens to his costars, Bachchan mumbles his way through the film and captures with amazing precision the external fuzziness of this pathetic old man but also the clarity of his indecent, acquisitive intentions. What he does with a role that could so easily have become a caricature is beyond words, but above all, at the end of the day, it's just such a commanding act - watching him is a true cinematic experience in and of itself.

This is, by and large, the trump card of Gulabo Sitabo, an amusing satire which could have been a stupendous movie had it just edited out some of the massive overdetailing and the many subplots. The film boasts of respectable production values, great sets and decorations, and the dialogue is really very good. The irony is just palpable in this film, which has many characters all of whom are immoral and quite ridiculous in their own way and with their different misdemeanors. The music is also great, and the score is good albeit too obvious and redundant at points. Among the other actors, Ayushmann Khurrana enjoys playing unlikable as Bachchan's foe, but it is clearly Farrukh Jaffar, in a miniscule role spread out across the film (which still gives her top-billing, probably courtesy Bachchan), who steals the show with her incredible dialogue delivery. She is a delight all the way. The conclusion of the story is comic and tragic in its irony, presenting a nice message on the price of greed, which often makes people lose much more on their way to reaching much less. Still, it is Bachchan who makes it a must-watch.

This film shows all the conundrum revolving around a certain property in a chucklesome manner. As Mirza is trying to be the legal owner of the Haveli, he involves a lawyer into the matter. And, as Bankey is trying to protect the rights and roof of the tenants, the government gets involved. Everyone has their personal interest in the property, the lawyer wants to sell the land off to the builder and the government uses all its tricks to acquire the land. These things are totally shown in a dramatized and a humorous manner and it doesn't all come heavy with information or emotions. It is a purely- light hearted film. Also, due appreciation needs to be given to Amitabh Bacchan's acting. His large nose, his way of speaking and walking complement to the character that Bacchan is playing and not the other way round. Ayushmann Khurrana and Amitabh Bacchan play their characters so well that it is hard to imagine the film with any other actors. Vijay Raaz plays as an officer of the Archaeological Department and Brijendra Kala plays the lawyer and no words are needed for their performances.