Tarla

Tarla Dalal. She was a unique woman. The only Padmashree recipient so far from the field of cooking. The day I found out that a biopic based on her life was being made, I started looking forward to it. It's a lovely movie.

The story and screenplay keep the movie at a certain pace. It never gets sluggish. The songs either take the story forward or enhance the mood introduced in the preceding scenes. Huma Qureshi and Sharib Hashmi have portrayed their roles sincerely. Huma is building a good body of work. Sharib is a gem. There's good chemistry between the lead pair too.

The film is more about Tarla's relationship with her husband and her constant struggle with her roles as a wife, mother and caretaker. I would have loved to see more about how she developed the recipes or how she learnt new ones.

The film scores well also on the time travel aspect. The costumes and surroundings give you the feel of the 70s and 80s. The makers may have missed a few gaps, like they've shown a Kinetic Honda in what may be late 60s or early 70s.

What would viewers want to see in a story about an ordinary homemaker who became a celebrity chef?

Firstly, how did she do it?

Next, why her books and show were a big success?

This film is more about her relationship with her husband and the struggles between her different roles as homemaker, mother and wife. Her place as a pioneer Indian cook book author and TV chef is not even highlighted.

The movie gets elevated by the wonderful performances of the lead actors. Huma Qureshi plays her role very well. Sharib Hashmi is a master performer and plays his part with ease.

Music by Suhit Abhayankar, Nilotpal Bora and Rohan Vinayak, with an added performance from Rekha Bharadwaj, is soulful and melodic.

Notes to the film-makers

• Both, Tarla Dalal and Huma Qureshi are beautiful. Then why give a set of false teeth to Huma?

• Food presentation? Where is it? Kindly stop payment to the food stylist or at least ask for a refund.

There's not much in the movie about Tarla Dalal that we already didn't know. But we get to know a lot about her supportive husband. At times one wonders whether it's his biopic.

Worth watching. A light, easy going movie. After so long a family movie which can be enjoyed with whole family. Simple and perfectly directed. Women around the world can see it just for the inspiration and motivation and men can watch it to be the motivation. Some scenes had perfect comic timing. Actors did a wonderful job such that you can easily connect with them. No fomo no fancy dresses just a simple and basic middle class family will enter your living room through your screns and will leave an impression forever. Few dialogues are so catchy that you may recall it at some part of your life. I am inspired hope same for you.

A biopic of a cook "Tarla Dalal" touches lot of sensitive topics with delicacy like her dishes. Huma Quereshie once again has shown her range in this movie , if you really want to see her range see "Monica O my darling " Probably her previous movie and this one in one shot. Sharib "Nalin Dalal ,husband of Tarlaa Dalal" is a fresh face they have provided while show casing the romance between husband and wife. He is shown as a helping ,caring husband who is always backing Tarla no matter what , and please focus on the final scene between husband and wife where he breaks. I recommend that scene to be watched by every male of south asia . A lovely movie watch . Please remove chicken chicken ( the songs of this movie which I did not find so soothing !) and consume.

Caution : Don't watch with empty stomach , has lot of food in it.

Anwar Says: In an era of biopics on Sportspersons only, an effort to present biopic on a home made chef is definitely commendable. It's a feel good cinema but with a bland taste. You always look for some spices and unable to get till end. The magnitude of Tarla's achievements, which made her a household name is shown in a subdued manner.

Huma Qureshi was a perfect choice to play the lead but even she couldn't come up with the feminist angle of Tarla. The most loved one is Sharib Hashmi, the husband , ever supporting and a person, every wife dream of. But Tarla facing social problems, sometimes look superficial.

Music of Abhayankar, Bora and Vinayak is soulful and melodic. Heard that Hansal Mehta is making a biopic on Sanjeev Kapur and I am sure he would overcome the shortcomings seen in Tarla.

#ZEE5 #anwarsays #tarladalal #cookerybook #CookeryShow #supportingfamilies #movie2023 #HumaQureshi #SharibHashmi #moviereview.