Bollywood produces six categories of movies – hit, 100-crore
hit, brain-dead, flop, super-flop, and Aamir Khan-touched. This one, as you
know, belongs to the last and the most bankable category. Aamir - the guy is a
genie who goes the unexplored path, takes those rare risks, wears a new avatar
as a filmmaker, and turns the whole bundle of newness into a surefire success.
Enough praised? Hold on. There’s more. Cut straight to the movie. If you have a voice, passion, and YouTube – you are bound to be a superstar. In addition to all that in a patriarchal Indian set up, when you have an overbearing father questioning your identity and supremely supportive mother backing up the very same thing, you’re on your way to becoming a secret superstar against all odds. I think this more or less summarizes the whole plot which anyway is pretty guessable from its impressive trailer.So I am all for watching this movie. You may want to disconnect from here as next are the details why you should watch it.
Insiya, a girl of 15 from Vadodara hails from a Muslim family, who has charms as heavens’ and attitude as solid as a rock. She wants to make it big as a singer and views the world as her audience. Her mother is the sweetest motherly portrayal I have ever seen on screen but her father is a hell of a gruesome figure you would never want to meet, even accidentally. Here again is a case of destiny calling its child but doors are locked; the child gets frustrated and finally finds a window named YouTube and meets her audience as a Burkha-donning, guitar-wielding singer with a voice that sweeps them off their feet. Then what? Like greased lightning she becomes an overnight sensation, gets a break by a musician, and wins hearts. The movie could have been a bit tighter but thankfully that extra looseness doesn’t lose its soul. The real meat however lies in its star cast.
Zaira Wasim is terrific as Insiya. She is a spectacular blend of beauty, charm, talent, and maturity beyond her age. Her titular performance is an enviable depiction of a character that would give even seasoned actors run for their money. Then comes Najma, played by Meher Vij who I still fail to believe has acted and is not her real mom! She has pulled off the role effusing all the assorted emotions — from an abused wife to a sensitive daughter-in-law to a strengthening mother to a resolute individual — with impeccable sincerity. To counter them, ready to receive your hate is Insiya’s father Farookh, played by Raj Arjun who too does a brilliant job in making you grit your teeth in disgust and anger every time he shows up. It’s a sheer joy to see Aamir switching to his comic side and crack the audience up with his signature comic gestures by being Shakti Kumaarr – the yesteryear musician who is overly hungry to get his dues but still has his heart in its place. The director, Advait Chandan, makes a remarkable debut with this cracker of a movie.
You may find yourself battling tears and losing the battle a few times. I remember when the movie ended and theatre lights dawned just the next moment, many people were seen not wanting to be seen wiping their tears. Go, watch this and be wowed by the absolute craft of acting that sends a strong message home. Even the songs of the movie collectively stand as a strong supporting actor. If I am to go Shakti Kumaarr's way, I would say only this: Wadda movie! Muaah.
Enough praised? Hold on. There’s more. Cut straight to the movie. If you have a voice, passion, and YouTube – you are bound to be a superstar. In addition to all that in a patriarchal Indian set up, when you have an overbearing father questioning your identity and supremely supportive mother backing up the very same thing, you’re on your way to becoming a secret superstar against all odds. I think this more or less summarizes the whole plot which anyway is pretty guessable from its impressive trailer.So I am all for watching this movie. You may want to disconnect from here as next are the details why you should watch it.
Insiya, a girl of 15 from Vadodara hails from a Muslim family, who has charms as heavens’ and attitude as solid as a rock. She wants to make it big as a singer and views the world as her audience. Her mother is the sweetest motherly portrayal I have ever seen on screen but her father is a hell of a gruesome figure you would never want to meet, even accidentally. Here again is a case of destiny calling its child but doors are locked; the child gets frustrated and finally finds a window named YouTube and meets her audience as a Burkha-donning, guitar-wielding singer with a voice that sweeps them off their feet. Then what? Like greased lightning she becomes an overnight sensation, gets a break by a musician, and wins hearts. The movie could have been a bit tighter but thankfully that extra looseness doesn’t lose its soul. The real meat however lies in its star cast.
Zaira Wasim is terrific as Insiya. She is a spectacular blend of beauty, charm, talent, and maturity beyond her age. Her titular performance is an enviable depiction of a character that would give even seasoned actors run for their money. Then comes Najma, played by Meher Vij who I still fail to believe has acted and is not her real mom! She has pulled off the role effusing all the assorted emotions — from an abused wife to a sensitive daughter-in-law to a strengthening mother to a resolute individual — with impeccable sincerity. To counter them, ready to receive your hate is Insiya’s father Farookh, played by Raj Arjun who too does a brilliant job in making you grit your teeth in disgust and anger every time he shows up. It’s a sheer joy to see Aamir switching to his comic side and crack the audience up with his signature comic gestures by being Shakti Kumaarr – the yesteryear musician who is overly hungry to get his dues but still has his heart in its place. The director, Advait Chandan, makes a remarkable debut with this cracker of a movie.
You may find yourself battling tears and losing the battle a few times. I remember when the movie ended and theatre lights dawned just the next moment, many people were seen not wanting to be seen wiping their tears. Go, watch this and be wowed by the absolute craft of acting that sends a strong message home. Even the songs of the movie collectively stand as a strong supporting actor. If I am to go Shakti Kumaarr's way, I would say only this: Wadda movie! Muaah.
