गुलाबो सिताबो

When you have two extremely talented actors - Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana, working together for the first time coupled with a master storyteller Shoojit Sircar, you expect nothing but a marvelous cinema. Is Gulabo Sitabo worth spending time ? Let us find out..

Based in the charming city of Lucknow, Gulabo Sitabo tells the story of a miser, rude and unapologetic landlord of Fatima Mahal mansion, Mirza (Amitabh Bachchan), who persistently squabble with his tenants, especially Baankey (Ayushmann Khurrana) over a meagre monthly rent. As the clash leads to legal matter, external parties interferes with their own agenda and try to grab their own piece of cake.

The master storyteller, Shoojit Sircar, is back with Gulabo Sitabo after giving us powerful cinemas like Yahaan.. , Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, Piku and October. His way of storytelling strive for excellence which shows in his films and Gulabo Sitabo is no different. The film opens with tussle between Mirza and Baankey which is definitely hilarious and will surely bring down the house as both actors play their part with convincing act. The first 25 mins will keep you engaged while love war between Mirza and Bankey goes into legal matter as external parties (Vijay Raaz as archaeologist and Brijendra Kala as property lawyer) begin to getting involved

Post 45 minutes, the film starts loosing the steam especially the fight over the Fatima Mahal mansion becomes intense as more members get involved to grab their part. This is where writing takes a back seat and movie become slightly monotonous while the climax becomes mediocre. Written by Juhi Chaturvedi who have successfully collaborated with Shoojit Sircar with strong content dramas like Madras Cafe (dialogue) , Piku and October, the hit jodi is not in form this with Gulabo Sitabo.

Gulabo Sitabo has a decent art director while Cinematography is basic. The background score is average while only one song "Do Din Ka Yeh Mela" which comes as end credit starts rolling is good. Shoojit Sircar's 6th directorial venture has dependable characters right from Ayushmann Khurrana's sister, Guddu, till Begum which are well-defined. Talents like Vijay Raaz and Brijendra Kala do justice to their roles

Coming to the lead actors, it is Amitabh Bachchan's show all the way. The powerhouse of talent is simply a treat to watch. Amitabh Bachchan hits the bull's eye with his sparkling performance. Watch for him as he locks the all the toilet doors in the mansion so that none of his tenants can use it. Ayushmann Khurrana does a fine job as Baankey who exudes confidence with his dialogues and expressions.

So, overall, Gulabo Sitabo works due to the enduring performances of the star cast. The comedy-drama does have few rib-tickling comedy scenes which will keep you engaged. Good 3/5

A beautiful tale of some crazy people and their fight for an old Haveli.. Another must watch from Shoojit Sircar.. The story is so simple yet touching, makes you think who is right and who is wrong. Music is great and the cinematography is also very nice. The inner beauty of Lucknow city is depicted truly.

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.

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.