Club 60

Many may not have heard of a Hindi film called Club 60, but it is an entertaining & thoughtful film that teaches you an important "lifestyle skill" – Life a fulfilling life even if you are on the wrong side of 60.

But for this you've to come out of your "lifestyle well" in which you've been living like a "frog" for years and decades. Sounds familiar, isn't? I am sure you will agree that most of us live like this "frog" in the "well" of our own miseries, despair, routine habits, and limited recreational activities.

This is precisely the kind of life that neurosurgeon, Dr Tariq Sheikh (Farooq Sheikh) and his wife Dr Saira (Sarika) were living after the death of their only son. Things started changing when they came in contact with a funny, colourful and melodramatic character, Manubhai (Raghubir Yadav).

It is he who introduced them to Club 60 consisting of retired – but jovial – members (Satish Shah, Tinnu Anand, Sharat Saxena & Vineet Kumar).

HAPPY POINTS about CLUB 60

1 - Club 60 is a simple film - but one which acts as a Mirror to anyone over 60 or someone living a boring/depressive life. It is not only entertaining (it has nice comedy in it) but also gives you an important lesson in life that will touch your mind and heart.

The film is emotional, thought-provoking and will surely make you rethink about your own (routine) life. It will make you wonder if at all there is any enjoyments and fulfilment in your own life.

By the way, I saw this film on Star Gold Select. And it is the only TV channel in which you are most likely to see the film again in future.

2 – It has dialogues which are very touching, thoughtful and also real. It is as if it's YOU who is being talked to. It is as if it's YOUR life which is getting "exposed".

The MOST touching dialogue was the one between Sarika and Farooq Sheikh (who has sadly passed away) in the balcony of their flat. The way Sarika emotionally implored Farooq to get out of the rut he is in…to escape from the depression he is in, will bring tears to your eyes. It may even make you feel "self-conscious" depending on the situation in your life.

Manubhai will teach you - "Zindagi se ehsaan mat le, Zindagi pe ehsaan kar". This from Manubhai who himself had a very, very sad past.

Tell you what, it is only in rare Indian films that you will get to see such "real" dialogues – and without any melodrama surrounding it.

3 – There are many hilarious moments presented in a normal manner – without any melodrama.

The best one for me is when semi-naked Sharat Saxena calls Raghubir Yadav (the most hyperactive all characters) from a hotel and tells him what a prostitute did to him after he slept with her. After listening, Raghubir burst into a kind of intense "suppressed laughter"…it looks so real and infectious that you too will react in exactly the same way!

4 – It was refreshing to see Sarika after so many years. In fact, I'd never seen her in a film after she became aged. Long, long time back (when in school) I'd seen a film in which she was just – believe it or not! - a Kid. Just see how time passes by.

And how can I forget Farooq Sheikh, the great actor he is? Sadly he passed away in the same month in which the film was released (Dec. 2013). We will all remember him by his Tumhari Amrita, Katha, Garam Hawa, Chashme Buddoor – and Club 60 too.

5 – You will get to hear melodious Ghazals - "Rooh Mein Faasle Nahin Hotey", "Pal Pal Khelti Hai Zindagi" and "Kho Kar Maine Aaj Tumhe Paaya Hai".

SAD POINTS about CLUB 60

1 - Raghubir Yadav's character is occasionally melodramatic and over-the-top which could easily have been avoided.

2 – After the "MOST touching dialogue" I'd just mentioned…and when you are in tears while listening to it…suddenly the scene changes to bursts of laughter amongst the members of Club 60.

This is a horrible anti-climax, I must say! It is as if the emotional build-up created by that heart-rending dialogue was suddenly "killed"!

Finally, such "thoughtful, eye-opening" entertaining films should be made more often. Although Club 60 is by no means a great film, but it is a film I'd love to watch MORE THAN ONCE.

'Club 60' is an honest & affecting drama, about grief & the battles life puts us all in. Sanjay Tripathy directs this underrated film earnestly & gets a top-notch cast, who deliver strongly.

'Club 60' Synopsis: After the untimely death of their only son Iqbal, Neurosurgeon, Dr Tariq Sheikh (Farooq Sheikh) and his wife Dr Saira (Sarika) are unable to put the pieces of their broken life together. Tariq suffers from depression, while Saira struggles to cope with her husband's suicidal tendencies. In an attempt to make a fresh start in life and to get rid of the nothingness' that haunts them, they shift to Mumbai from Pune. More than the city's distractions, it's their loud neighbor Manubhai (Raghubir Yadav), who manages to kill the deafening silence that plagues them with his somewhat annoying yet adorable antics. Manubhai introduces Tariq to the jovial members of Club 60 - where live begins at 60.

'Club 60' mirrors life with honesty. Its a sad story, yet it never forgets to be uplifting by the time the film ends. Its an affecting story about people dealing with the circumstances of life & how sometimes grief can never leave you alone. This isn't a perfect film by any shot, but it at least it tells its story with heart & soul. The Screenplay is Written with heart, although its sluggish in parts. Sanjay Tripathy's Direction is commendable.

Performance-Wise: The joy of watching The Late/Great Farooq Sheikh is immeasurable. The legendary actor delivers a fabulous performance from start to end, without missing a single beat. Sarika supports Sheikh wonderfully. Raghubir Yadav is bit too loud, but that's the demand of his character. Sharat Saxena, Satish Shah & Tinnu Anand are fantastic, as always. Vineet Kumar is decent. Suhasini Mulay is in fine form, as usual. Others lend good support.

On the whole, 'Club 60' deserves a watch. Its an honest film with first-rate performances.

The story follows a group of 60+ friends. Each one going through their own struggles and sharing some fun time. Really enjoyed the movie after a long time without unnecessary songs and dancing.

"Club 60" deals with the stories of aged pals who become part of the club named Club 60, where they share their joys and sorrows they have gone through their lives. The film centers around Farooq Shiekh who has immersed himself into depression after the loss of his only son. He relives his life once he becomes part of the Club 60 and realizes he is not the only one who has had a loss in life. The way the film narrates the loss almost every character have undergone by their 60s makes this film true to life.

On the whole the film is pretty slow but through its occasional wit the film succeeds to fully bring its theme and encourages the old people to live their life to the fullest. Though the pace of the film I've mentioned before is slow, there are also surprises with which each character's past agony is shown. Besides, the performances from the lead are also to be watched out for. Especially, Raghuvir Yadav's role besides Farooq Shiekh and Sarika's performances are what you would remember the film for. For the theme, the film is quite remarkable, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a good film.

Rating: 3 stars out of 4

No wonder why the film's not a hit among cinema-goers. It doesn't have cheap item songs, flesh show or silly romance or even ridiculous dialog delivery. A critic's love, Club 60 is a very fine drama about life, old age & the search for happiness.

It is a real treat to watch yesteryear actors to come back, and play so genuinely, especially Farooque Sheikh. The whole cast is splendid, but I felt Raghuvir Yadav crossed the line with his antics. The plot is very calm focusing on the lives of 60 something people who meet each other at a club. Raghuvir Yadab brings them together & helps them find happiness in small things of life. Never have I seen in months in Bollywood such beautiful, deep dialogs about the mystery of life and never have I watched characters mourning death so authentically. Sarika is still so svelte!

With calm music and minuscule obscene dialogs here & there, Club 60 can only be lauded using superlatives. The editing & direction could've been better, cinematography is fine.

BOTTOM LINE: This is for everyone, teenagers to adults for it focuses on few values & virtues & explains it in a beautiful manner. Recommended!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Profanity: No | Vulgarity: Mediocre | Violence/Gore/Sex/Porn: No | Smoking/Alcohol: Strong | Drugs: No