Movie Review | English Vinglish marks the actor's comeback in its true sense

The Indian society by and large judges an individual on three factors - Money, Fame and the Knowledge of English. English Vinglish is the story of a woman who does not know English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. The film is a light - hearted yet touching and depicts a transformational journey of the central character – Shashi Godbole. Circumstances make her resolute to overcome this insecurity, master the language, teach the world a lesson on the way to becoming a self assured and confident woman. 

 

The film’s opening credits roll in with congratulatory wishes – one for Indian cinema turning 100 years old and to Amitabh Bachchan on his 70th birthday, which falls on 11 October. The protagonist Sashi Godbole, played by diva Sridevi who makes a comeback after a hiatus of 15 years, is a typical Indian housewife from Pune. Her world revolves around her husband (Adil Hussain, two kids and her snacks or ‘laddoo business’. She also has a mother-in-law (Sulabha Deshpande), who thankfully is not the wicked saas-bahu kind. Shashi is overworked and under-estimated, and often overlooked for the kind of love and effort she puts into the family. She is also ridiculed for being a ‘vernac’. Familiarity with such a story is something that shall be the trump card for the film to succeed. Everyone will find one woman in their family like Shashi, I’m sure! Shashi’s life is mundane but stable. But ‘panic time’ enters when she has to leave for New York alone to help her elder sister with her daughter’s wedding. Hesitant to go it solo, the damsel in distress is accompanied by Amitabh Bachchan who has a little ‘loud’ yet delightful cameo in the film. Shashi finds that NY actually opens up a whole new world for her, when she musters up the courage to join English classes and attends them without letting anyone know. This section of film might remind you of the classic Mind Your Language, or its Indian version Zabaan Sambhalke, where people from different nationalities struggle their way to survive in the city via communication skills. The supporting characters are chosen with intrinsic details, with a special mention to French-Arabic actor Nebbou who plays a French cook who falls for the sari clad Indian married lady.

 

 

Written by debutant director Gauri Shinde, who has an extensive experience to her credit, the story is simple, sweet, non-preachy and a pleasant family watch. She displays a fine control of her filmmaking craft, from the script, to drawing excellent performances from her cast, to the look and feel of the film. Unlike many of the Bollywood films shot in New York and abroad generally, Gauri manages to capture real middle-class, immigrant, diaspora life in New York.  Further, her characters and dialogues are real and unlike the cliches we have become accustomed to. Shinde and her better half, ad-man and director R Balki, have an amazing connection and fasinaiton with New York and that is evident from the beautiful montage scenes of the Big Apple.

 

The music by Amit Trivedi is apt and situational and perfectly does its job of enhancing the emotions that Sashi goes through. The lyrics by Swanand Kirkire are quirky, sensitive and refreshing.

 

In film branding and product placements include The Times of India, Navbharat Times, Nescafe`, Cafe Coffee Day, Air Atlantic that are very much part of the daily routines of the characters.

 

While superlative actors and dance divas like Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor who made their comebacks with failures like Aaja Nachle and Dangerous Ishq, Sridevi’s heart – touching cracker performance in her comeback film is something that needs to be applauded. After a long stay away from films and filmdom, Sridevi proves that age is just a number, if you have it in you, you shall shine. Director Gauri Shinde is one story-teller we all should watch out for in the near future.

 

English Vinglish ‘beshak’ deserves 3.5 stars out of 5. Though a one-time watch, go watch English Vinglish which has its hear in place, sense and logic right. It's amusing, emotional, heartrending and also insightful. An inspiring film with an overwhelming message, a must-watch for every parent, every child! | By Ankita Tanna [ankita(at)adgully.com]