Gulabo Sitabo helmed by Shoojit Sircar is a well made film that expresses a gamut of emotions through its well etched characters and wry humor. In these times of Covid 19, when cinemas are shut, several filmmakers have decided to release their films on OTT Platforms. Gulabo Sitabo is the first biggie from Bollywood to stream on Prime Video. This is the fourth time that talented duo writer, Juhi Chaturvedi and director, Shoojit Sircar have collaborated together after Vicky Donor, Piku and October and have affirmed their supremacy over their craft. Mind you, they both have a niche of their own which gets reflected in their cinema. They never make run of the mill or formulaic cinema out to please every section of audience. They have always chosen disparate subjects and made invigorating films out of them. Coming back to Gulabo Sitabo, this film is based in Lucknow and you will find intricate details of town and its inhabitants through the various characters of the movie. In fact, the charm of the movie lies in the astounding use of dialect of its various characters. The humor doesn't come in slapstick form but from the banter between most characters of the movie who try to outsmart each other by taking jibes at each other. On the outset, it looks to be a simple story but it has several layers attached to it which get peeled off as the story progresses. At the center of the story is Fatima Mahal, an dilapidated Haveli owned by Begum Fatto (Farrukh Jafar) whose miser husband, Mirza ( Amitabh Bachchan) is waiting for her to die to so that he becomes owner of the property. There are several tenants living in the haveli and Banke (Ayushmann Khurrana) is one of them who pay measly rent as they have been living there since long. As the film progresses, Officers of Archaeological Survey, Lawyer and a Builder enter the plot, each with their own vested interest in the Haveli. The prominent characteristic depicted in the movie is greed about which Banke says to Mirza in a dialogue, " Laalach Zehar Hai" and Mirza replies, "Maine Zehar se kisi ko marte nahin dekha". Greed and yearning for more money often leads to despair which has been brilliantly showcased in the movie albeit with innuendo.
The story, screenplay and dialogues of the movie have been penned down by Juhi Chaturvedi who has once again proved her mettle. Trust, Juhi to come up with something disparate when it comes to penning up a story. The backbone of the movie is its free flowing screenplay, brilliant dialogues and peculiar characters. Each and every character has its own idiosyncrasies who try to out wit each other with their dialogues. To her credit, Juhi has ensured that the dialogues are laden with typical Lucknawi language which are mouthed by the characters with utmost precision. Detailing is the key of good screenplay, dialogues and Juhi has mastered the art of that. Though, the film belongs to Banke and Mirza but Juhi doesn't let the female characters take a backseat. On one hand you have Banke's guileful sister, Guddo who has no qualms in romancing her third boyfriend on the terrace or going to a hotel with a Govt. Official to secure a Govt. Job. On the other hand you have Banke's ambitious girlfriend who turns up at Banke's flour mill after marrying a rich guy. She sarcastically asks Banke, " Aapki chakki pe organic atta milega" and than herself replies him teasingly ," Shakal dekh ke hi lagta hai isne organic atte ke bare mein nahin suna hoga". On top of all is Begum Fatto who comes up with the biggest surprise in the climax of movie. The movie begins with Mirza ( Amitabh Bachchan) stealing bulbs, cycle bells of his tenants to sell them to scrap dealers. He is fed up of his tenants who have been paying paltry amount of rent to him. He is at loggerheads with his tenant Banke ( Ayushmann Khurrana) as he wants him to vacate his premises. One day, Banke kicks the washroom wall due to which a portion of it breaks down. An angry Mirza along with Banke rushes to the local police station to settle the dispute where a clever officer of Archaeological Survey of India, Gyanesh Mishra (Vijay Raaz) overhears them talking about a old haveli. Now, Mishra tries to convince Banke and other tenants that this haveli can become a National Heritage property and if they vacate the haveli, they will get LIG flats. But, the greedy Mirza is no less as he approaches Christopher ( Brijendra Kala) having an expertise in solving property disputes to get his property vacated and transfer power of attorney in his name. Mirza is coaxed by his bosom pal, Pandeji to pray for demise of his Begum Fatto as than Mirza will be the sole owner of property. Christopher approaches a renowned Builder to construct a housing complex after demolishing haveli. Guddo, duplicitous sister of Banke is in touch with with Gyanesh as well as Christopher to get her slice of pie. Will the haveli be declared a Heritage Property, Will Builder demolish the haveli, Will Mirza become the sole owner of property and what will happen to tenants is what forms the rest of the story.
Amitabh Bachchan puts life into the character of crotchety, astute yet farcical, Mirza with effortless ease. With prosthetic makeup and in a pitch different from his rich baritone, Amitabh literally owns the character of Mirza.
Ayushmann Khurrana literally makes you root for his character with his impeccable performance in the movie. He looks the part of a sublime guy who is burdened with taking care of his family especially sisters who in turn never miss a chance to poke fun of him.
Vijay Raaz slips into the character of Gyanesh with such conviction that he literally looks like a typical Government Official. The way he climbs on top of tree to take pictures & than is reluctant in climbing down or the pride in his body language when he takes Banke to show him Archaeological department laboratory is a treat to watch.
Brijendra Kala is one actor who has carved out his own inimitable style of acting and dialogue delivery which is unparalleled. The way he proclaims that he only speaks English at home or the way he boasts about his relations with builder are bound to bring a smile on your face.
Srishti Shrivastava has turned out to be the surprise package of the film. The way Juhi has scripted the character of bold, sly Guddo, Srishti has taken the character several notches higher with her brilliant portrayal.
The musical score of Shantanu Moitra is in tandem with the movie and effortlessly syncs with the narrative. The lyrics that have been penned down by Dinesh Pant, Puneet Sharma, Vinod Dubey are heart touching especially "Kya leko ayo jag mein" and "Aana hai jana hai,jeevan chalte jana hai" standing out. The cinematographer of the movie is Avik Mukhopadhyay whose roving lens eye has captured the milieu of Lucknow with utmost finesse. The movie has been edited by Chandrashekhar Prajapati whose work at the editing table has resulted in a crisp movie. As a director, Shoojit Sircar has scored all the brownie points as he has presented this simple, refreshing tale of human characteristics in the most captivating way. He has ably infused the film with some valuable lessons without making it sound preachy. Shoojit has become synonymous with presenting invigorating tales in his own indomitable style.
If you have penchant for slice of life movies laden with wry humor with well written and enacted characters, than Gulabo Sitabo is the right movie for you. But if you are looking for a formulaic movie with usual Bollywood stuff, than it's not your cup of tea.
ROHIT SHARMA
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