Medal – Super Story, Performance & Grit

Jayesh, Maulik, Story & a gritty Producer = Success

What happens when a you combine a powerful actor with a host of equally powerful supporting actors, a great story and a risk-taking producer? Well, you are awarded with a Medal.

November has been very good for Gujarati cinema with a second good movie hitting the box office.

Medal leaves you with a good lump in the throat for its story, treatment and powerful performances.

This was an elaborate web-series meant for an yet to be launched JoJo OTT, however wisdom prevailed and the series was crisply edited to become a 2 hour crisp film. If you observe minutely, you could point out the pace especially when it comes to training the kids and the abruptness of the love life. But one can conveniently ignore even the fact that Thotha is kabuli chana and simply enjoy the narration and flow of the story.

The story is of PT master-turned-english teacher essayed by Jayesh More who has anger issues, in-law issues, nostalgia issues and issues sticking to a job, especially if it is a well-paying one. After a slightly confusing first 10 mins the story takes track where Ajit is posted to a village school (Government one with pension) where he joins with a sense of purpose, egged by memories of his friend.

You are now transformed to a village life with all its nuances, dialogues, social norms, humour and most importantly the sad state of affairs be it school or the village at large. The day to day clashes between our honest and duty-bound Jayesh More with the  PT sir (Hemang Dave in a super negative role) with three other teachers (who have not been able to unmute themselves all through the film) and the super performer Maulik Nayak (as a peon-cum-clerk). All of this curated by the indomitable principal played by Archan Trivedi.

One by one the students get inspired first to the class then to the playground. All of which is to conclude into a medal seeking challenge at the Khel Kala Mahakumbh. Interspersed within this is the social stigma of untouchability and an aggressive village headman played by Chetan Dahiya (his 64^th film). No wonder he keeps riding a horse without stirrups!

How will the movie end, will our Jayesh More succeed or will he fail and get a bail, the climax is the most-catchy part of this entire movie, leaves you in good spirits.

The Heroes of the movie:

Producer: Hardly does anyone credit this title but Dhruvin Dakshesh Shah (of the Superstar Fame) did well to pick up the story and give it shape and life. It is not easy to take the audience back to the villages and expect them to applaud. Well played.

Director-Writer-Editor: Dhaval Shukal scores big in his maiden Gujarati Film, while the writer and actor Vaishakh Ratanben gives a lot of substance to the story. The dialogues are really earthy and a lot of them are very catchy. Not easy in today’s time. Rraja Choksi & Dhruvin seem to have been ruthless in the editing and that is why the movie doesn’t drag.

My personal favourite, Tapan Vyas (he seems to the DOP for every Gujarati movie) again transforms you to a village with a very classy feel. 

Kushal Chokshi’s music too helps build the story and keep the momentum, with a few  likeable songs like Tarla No Desh and Ehsaas Taro, but nothing beats the ever-favourite Arvind Vegda who makes a couple of cameos and leaves a good impression as DJ Snake.

But the supreme honours ought to go to the most under-represented stars of Gujarati film Industry, Jayesh More and Maulik Nayak. This duo, whenever they pair up produce miracles. Fantastic performances really touch your heartstrings. Hemang Dave should leave comedy and take over negative roles. He excels in this department big time. A plump-postmaster Shaunak & mukhiya Chetan Dahiya too make impacts in the little screen time they get. Of course Kinjal Rajpriya has a decent presence but her character rarely creates impact. In the entire film, their love story grows and deflates.

Despite the film being dominated by such superstars, child artists Bhavya Sirohi, Arya Sagar and Karan Patel leave a good impression.  

There are some continuity issues, some stories don’t go too deep like the Mukhiya and the friend’s story or the love story. The sports preparation too seems ill-planned. A lot of scenes are repeated, but all of that is forgiven for the end product is a good package.

Don’t miss the wall graffiti in the villages, it just lifts the scenes multiple notches higher.

Medal, whether the team wins or not is something you will have to go to the theatre and see, all I can say is I am buying tickets for my parents to watch this movie. It is that nice a product.

Aum Mangalam Singlem - Fun, Funny & Fiesty

Who enjoys a Single life, Boys or Girls!! Watch AMS & find out. 

One of the challenge that is delaying the revival of Gujarati Film Industry is also that good quality film-makers are not making enough films with their teams. I understand it is not an easy process but spacing films this far-out, especially good films, is not fair to the industry.

Yes, yes, let me get it out in the beginning, just so that the hero and heroine’s expression and beauty is caught, they don’t wear helmets!!! If Daaru is banned in Gujarat, where do they  get the Daaru and why is it part of films (with a disclaimer!)

Now, let us speak about the popcorn, samosas and drinks that has become the norm with movie premieres. Actually, no, I don’t remember the taste of the same because they were served in the first half and I was too busy laughing, enjoying the word-fest. However, post interval I could focus on the after-taste and realized the samosas were a bit too salty and the pop-corn bland.

Aum Mangalam Singlem’s (AMS) trailer really got me thinking on how would it be to be single (hope my wife is not reading this, can’t afford to get her to think that!!). It actually made me think of all the fun I had being single and much more, so the anticipation of the movie was high, very high. Not to mention a tried and tested team of winners was making it. The movie did not take my being single too far. Telling you why.

But first, one aspect of the film which no one speaks about. Promotion. I loved the fact that it was quick, crisp to the point and only informed and did not impose. Generally promotions as so in your face, so forceful so pushy. None of it happened here.

So, about the movie. There are four Heroes of the movie.

Dialogues: Mitai-Nehal seem to have hit the groove big time. They seem to have the midas touch with words and have really touched the right cords all the time. They seem to have a chemistry with Malhar’s comic timing. Each word hits bulls-eye with him. Focus on the spoken and acted words you would love it big time all through.

Music: What amazing refreshing scores by Sachin-Jigar. They seem to always reserve their best for Saandeep-Aarti. Sawariya just takes off many a times in the film’s narrative. Latko is my personal favourite, Niren Bhatt has worded it perfect too. Khune Khune thi, Sahiyar too complete a great album. It is pleasing to see that directors like Saandeepbhai are focusing on the music to make the film memorable.

Malhar-Aarohi: They are a fluid pair. Pick any emotion and they seem to get it right. Perfect chemistry, great understanding and comforting body language makes them super. Malhar is extremely normal in his comedy skin and excels big time. Aarohi just can't seem to do anything wronng (including her natural talent of dancing).

Cinematography: Well, I have a bias towards Tapan Vyas for the absolute quality of his craft. He makes the film extremely rich, flawless & jerk-less. You feel rich watching AMS, the scenes, the close-ups and the overall emotions are so beautifully captured.

Well, the story is about two school-hood sweet hearts who grow up, finish college and are slotted to be married when they realized they have yet to live a life without each other. So, they take a pause and decide to prepare a singlenaamu and live a life (in the same city sic!). What follows, and everyone knows will happen, happens. Yeah yeah no twists and turns (or are there T&Ts, well you will have to watch the movie and find out).

One gets a feeling that once the core concept was frozen the story, especially the last part was forgotten. It leaves one with so many questions?

• If there are no rules then where did the rules come from?
• Why is it that its always the girls who are right?
• Why do the boys always have to be seen as guilty?
• Girls kare toh vaandho nai, guys bole toh vaandho!
• Anyone can come into the society, shout our daughter's name and sell Soda!
• How easy it is to stop a very determined girl going to London?
• How many Pounds would the father have lost in the cancelled admission/tickets?
• Why does Malhar look like Ranbir Kapoor when he cries?
• Why does a film have to show a happy Malhar crying, he just can’t do it!

The other cast too have good roles to play, especially Bhamini Oza Gandhi & Darshan Jariwala. Tatsat Munshi in his maiden appearance impresses but lack the meat to his role. Again am biased towards Sanjay Galsar’s craft, he too did not have much to do.

All in all, AMS is a movie that starts extremely fantastic then goes into predictable lines and ends happy.

A good family watch.

PS: Yes, seeing Ashish Kakkad and hearing his baritone sure leaves you sad.

Go Watch it, Saandeep-Aarti rarely get it wrong, be it daughters (Aarohi -acting & Sanjana – costumes) and then this second film in their version  2.0.

 

 

Madhav - A Lawyer-Police Word-Fest leading to Satyamev Jayte

What is Law?   What is Justice?  Who is right/wrong? 

These and more are the questions Madhav has tried to raise in its Gujarati Cop Thriller avatar.

But the biggest question that begs us and stares us in the face is, “If Gujarat is a dry state, then why does anyone have to be shown drinking with a disclaimer, Drinking Liquor is wrong, etc etc?” I mean just don’t show daaru. Show Chaas, Sherbet, Mocktails, anything!!!

What promised to be an action packed, daring-baaz Singham-bhai version of the Bolly-Poli movie turned into an action packed Word-Fest, a to & fro Dialogue-Drama. It’s like you promise an Ice-Age movie and it turns out to be a Dinosaur-ki-prem-katha.

Independently, Madhav is good, if only the action-perception would have been managed. We were all expecting flying cars, killer moves, jumping men, bomb blasts and more and we got revolving chair, custodial dandas, high-decibel-ear-shattering vocals & three entries, mixed with a good moral for a story.

Madhav Jadeja (a very dashing looking Hitu Kanodia), an action cop who loves to dance in a Ganesh Pandal, keep making entries in an Enfield Bullet gets the son-of-a-lawyer Yash Desai (an under-rated Vishal Shah) arrested together with his girlfriend (Saloni Shah -3-dialogues) for a frivolous mistake inviting the wrath of the mighty Lawyer Vishwas Desai (a high baritone Mehul Buch).

What follows is a mix of tu-tu-main-main-hoon-konn-chhu-jaa-have-tuu-mane-jaanto-nathi some laughter again hoon-konn-chhu-jaa-have-tuu-mane-jaanto-nathi interspersed with one or two funny jokes by Constable No 1 (a completely wasted talent Chetan Dahiya) & Constable No 2 (even more wasted talent Smit Pandya). Soon the plot opens up and we realise why this entire game was being played out and then one thing leads to the other and the game changes. In-between you may feel angry, frustrated, upset, sometimes entertained and a tad-bit bored at the pace of the film. But all is well that ends well.

You are finally left thinking, “Why did the Lawyer, Vishwas Desai kill himself?”

The king of the product is Hitubhai and carries the role to perfection. If only he would have been allowed to fling more than a chair and kick more than one villain.

Mehulbhai is a close second with a good performance. However, he could have been helped with a bit more depth on the role with more meaningful dialogues and a lot more ammunition to defend his son.

Third in line is the Music. Incorporating both Chintata Chita Chita and Singham feel, the music keeps itself and the drama upbeat.

The story, though unique needed a lot of depth. The entire premise looks frivolous with large loopholes. Come on, you can’t take the Home Minister for a spin, so easily. If you are such a hot-shot lawyer you submit way too easily. I mean me, without a law degree, can know how to spin myself out of this. Jigar Rana could have really added more meat and believability to the story  making it more action packed.

Now, when you have two power packed-dialogue-delivery-actors, the lines need to be memorable. None really stands out except Madhav Aave Chhe or hoon-konn-chhu-jaa-have-tuu-mane-jaanto-nathi, the film needed some whistle-maaring dialogues which could have been a game-changer.

All in all, for a first time Hetal Thakkar has done a great effort of giving a good-looking film. The attempt at creating a cop-thriller-drama has been brave and laudable.

I can bet my money on single screen rural audiences to lap up with a lot of excitement and fervour.

So, Madhav Aavi Gayo Chhe, feel free to go and welcome him.

Prem Prakaran

A love triangle between the Hot, Hotter & the Hottest.

First & Foremost hats off to the team for withdrawing their release to accommodate The Kashmir Files.

A rare gesture.

Such rarity is also the film, rare to see a good, classy and cool Gujarati film.

The film is a great product.

The hero of the film is the music. Begins and ends only at the climax. Take a bow Amit Trivedi, you have created pulsating scores that not only maintain the pace but also gives a brilliant direction to the entire prakaran. Songs like Laagni, Zidd, Yaado Taari Tu Nahi To, Kori ne Kaachi liven up the entire experience of the prakaran. Niren Bhatt’s lyrics too touch your heart, though none have yet become hummers. Singers Jigardaan, Ishani, Siddharth Amit Bhavsar too have responded very well.

But first, there are some Prem Lessons you will get:

Prem is Love

Prem is like a label

Prem is not like cigarette.

Prem is like Nasha.

Prem is like Memory.

Prem goes but memories remain.

Prem needs to take memories with it.

Prem is a letter from the past.

Prem break-up & make-up always happens best on a bridge.

Prem is not all signals.

Prem failure makes you paddle your cycle harder.

God so much pressure on Prem, wonder what would happen to his performance.

 Furthermore, we learnt:

If you are a science student you will do arranged marriage.

If a girl gives the mother a chitthi meant for a boy, she will not read it.

MICA has an MBA and MNC job pays only Rs 22,000, might as well have joined a local.

Now, lets get serious. I went to the movie to watch two of my favourite actors, Deeksha Joshi & Sanjay Galsar. They did not disappoint. Deeksha at her goofy and beautiful best and Sanjay in his normal elements always stole the show.

But as I came out, I had added two more to my favourites list.

Director Chandresh Bhatt. Man, you are a find. What a great package.

Esha Kansara. Always liked her act, but here she completely lit up the screen from her first scene. What an amazing essay.

The story is about Aditya (always-teary-eyed, Gaurav Passwala) who falls in love with his school mate Aarti Vyas (Deeksha) who friend-zones him and life goes on. A series of turns later Aditya is dejected and shifts to Ahmedabad where not only does he become rich (wonder how!) but also classy and beardy. But his love continues to burn for Aarti till one-sad-rendition-of-the-sad-song-hothon-se-chhu-lo-tum, a rendition so sad, even Jagjit Singh cried in his grave, he meets Riya (Esha Kansara).

Now the story takes off from here and comes to point where it forms a triangle. Who will Aditya choose? That you will have to go to a theatre and watch the glamour in person.

All I can say is, you know who it would be and yet you will enjoy the reveal.

The movie is at least 20 mins too long, but the music does not make you feel the length. There are times when you wish it would pace up. But the overall chemistry among friends, lovers and the team, makes it really stand out.

Gaurav Passwala looks good and carries the role well. Besides the lead even the friends are well chosen and the entire team led by Maulik Chauhan, Manan, Deep, Aariz, Mehul Nilesh do a great job in keeping the film lively. Even the Katko, replaced by Chashma act of Manan is good.   

The frames are Bollywood, the feel is classy Suraj & Pratik have done a good job on the camera. Even Junagadh looks classy in the entire experience. Heck even the costumes are truly a class apart lifting the film.

All in all, it is a good movie, worth investing your time and money. It is not every day that you come across such good movies from

One dialogue stands out: Past is a good place to visit not to Stay.

Go Watch it Today 

Sonu Per Bharoso Karai

Sonu Tane Mara per Bharoso Nai Ke

A TV from Chor Bazaar can make you chaotically rich

Honestly, considering the name, I was confident that this would be one of those regular slapstick movies that come about. I have known the director Henil Gandhi to be good with stories, I have known Ragi Jani to be a fantastic actor, Off late Malhar's choices of films too have been pretty good, yet this movie. I was mentally prepared for one more disappointment.

But what I saw completely floored me. Of course, not before it had its disappointments.

The Story is straight simple situational. A middle class family lose their TV (in an unbelievable and painful fashion) and decide to go to Chor bazaar to buy a new one. What they discover in the TV is much more than just gold, but confusions, honesty, murders and much more chaos.  

Let us handle Disappointments first:

The first 25 mins need to be endured. It is something that shakes your faith.

Again the villain and the Hindi saga continue. Why do villains have to speak hindi? We are not South India! 

Some dialogues and narratives are more confusing than funny. 

The background music initially was just too loud, it only levelled out later...

There are some scenes which kill the entire flow and have no relation and could have been chopped especially the salon lady and the gangster meeting and seeking help (no this is not a spoiler). It is just there, doing nothing. Adding no value.

Now let us come to the Good things:

Dialogues: Punchy, funny and a lot of time PJs by Suraj Baraliya are rocking. They elevate the movie and take it from slapstick to outright funny in situations.

Ragi Jani: Take a bow. You just took the movie to great heights. There were shadows of Siddharthbhai, still the movie is all standing on Ragibhai and he carries it well. Actually very well. Always talented, he just proved himself all over again.

Malhar: He is himself and that matters. He does a good job at being goofy, funny and likeable. This is one good movie to headline.

Ditto Jayesh More: His chemistry with Ragi is just a treat to watch. Both veterans elevate the movie.

All other support characters fit in fine.

The title song, rocks. What a catchy song. Rahul Munjariya takes it a notch higher. Not to mention the Song in between, again very classy.

All in all, it is an enjoyable movie to take the family out to. Henil Gandhi, welcome to the Good Cinema club. You have actually found Gujarat it very own Priyadarshan. More power to you.

And yes, Malhar's head is more important than that of Nijal because he was wearing a helmet (honestly, a good start).

Golkeri – Awesome Foursome

Jignesh Vasavada

4 (.5 for Mansi)

Life ends one Saturday evening and toils through the entire Sunday before coming to a full circle in the evening. Yes, 24 hours of love, life and relationship is a delightful Golkeri.

Now here is the fear. Good movies just don’t get the right promotions and thus there is a fear of them missing out. Golkeri producers, guys, please go all out, you have a good product. Many a movie, earlier, has messed up with poor no promotion.

What is!

Well, this is a sweet gargle-your-way-to-a guy’s-heart love story (read Gujarati re-make of the Marathi Muramba) of a boy Sahil (Malhar) & girl Harshita (Mansi) which begins with a Break off (not Up) and traverses through Divorce (there is a difference here) and then ending with a Patch up (yeah the same thing).

Yeah yeah, once you settle into the movie you know how it is going to end, but the beauty of the story is in the way it folds, unfolds, re-folds and finally packs up. Honestly, I was waiting to see the climax hoping it would be a taxi-wala-taking-police-wala-helping-aircraft-stopping or simply running with the train ending. But the climax is truly a nice anti-climax.

Here Sahil and Harshita are aided by Sahil’s affable parents played by Sachin Khedekar and Vandana Pathak. The story, screenplay is a delightful journey of values, love, upbringing, generations and the bond called love. Good Movie.

All that is Wow

All four lead actors, simply rock.

Mansi Parekh, take a bow. What a performance. Brilliant portrayal of a stand-up comic going off and on, all the while alternating between being a girl-friend, would-be bahu and a girl. She really connects and takes the movie to an altogether new level.

Vandana Pathak, a veteran, who just keeps getting better and better. She is literally the life of the movie.

Malhar Thakar, yes, not the star Malhar, but the actor Malhar who has been emerging with movies, breaking his stereotype since Sharto Laagu excels in a great portrayal of a scared genius in love. His classical punchy style lends the much needed humour and life to the narrative. He infuses the pace and helps keep the interest alive.

Sachin Khedekar (also acted in the Marathi original), in a brilliant light portrayal of a loving, understanding and evolving father steals hearts. He too binds the narrative and is crucial in some situations where the story needs the push.

DoP, Vikas Joshi paired with the Art Director keeps the film clean and fresh. Despite very limited location you are captivated by the way the scenes have been captured.

Dialogues, by Viral Shah also add the delta in the movie’s Gujaratikaran. Most, other language re-makes miss the mark in this department. Viral has kept it real and Gujarati.

All that is Saav

Background Music alternated between being jarring, loud and sometimes forced. This department could have done with mellowing down.

The Story, while was a huge challenge, could have done with a bit of trimming and appeared to slow the pace at times.

Some scenes really looked like they were an after-thought and the green screen was visible.

Low focus on marketing would really cause a scare for an otherwise good product.

Do not miss moments

Read this more than once. Manan, aapno comedy factory waalo, hosts daaru parties where girls come home late night, drunk. Why didn’t I know of this earlier? Why did I have to learn this from a movie?

The four-seater-scooter is a nice side kick which has a maruti car’s key-chain!!

So, our hero kick-starts his bike with a slight stubble, travels few kms the stubble grows thick and then becomes light again at the end of the journey.

Looks like there is a lot of money in the spectacle shop, simply going by their bungalow.

Jenga, the game, mends relationships, yes, it is true.
Giving out Golkeri bottles, what a great PR victory!

Blatant favoritism by the producer ensures that his wife is always wearing a helmet and the hero is not :))

 

The Verdict

Oh, please go and watch it with your entire family. It is a nice delightful fun foursome ride of relationship and love. You might even end up thanking god for not making you a gold-medalist or a ranker.

Luv ni Love Storys – 1B3HK Story

One boy vs three girls and you thought he had all the luck? Well, grass is always green on the green screen, while reality is completely non-filmy.

Jignesh Vasavada

2.75 stars (.75 for the Look)

 

I have been checking every grammar site on whether it should be stories or story, nowhere it says storys...but what the heck, my grammar teacher isn’t coming to watch a Gujarati movie, so we grant the creator the creative licence as we focus on the Love Stories (I got this right).

Our Hero:

Luv, a cute kid who refused to give kheer to his father is packed off to a Boarding school and grows up to become Pratik Gandhi who can play golf like he plays cricket. Initially he plays a guessing game with the viewers teasing us to guess his profession (love guru, negotiator, hair-stylist, rich man’s son and chef). Finally, he settles down for one profession. His entire family knows all aspects of love. Luv falls in love far more easily than she can say Jalapeño (with a pronounced H). The entire movie revolves around his falling and failing in love (remember bachna ae haseeno, well don’t). And yes, there is a strong hidden political leaning with Luv’s surname. 

Love Interest 1:

A super hot, super beautiful Mishti (Shraddha Dangar) who gives all the right signals of love and while the viewer and kids in his family know everything, Luv just does not get it. All the slow-mo scenes here are really nice and effective.

 Love Interest 2:

A cute, bubbly, Sonam (Vyoma Nandi) who is so beautiful that the entire society notices her, but our man doesn’t. Who misses a hot neighbour? She too is completely into Luv, but not so much into him and yet he is into her. Confused? Well so were we. Did someone refer to the Kaula Lumpur Police Department?

Love Interest 3:

Amongst the most sorted, gorgeous and intelligent of the three, Preeti (Deeksha Joshi) flirts with a yes, no, yes, no, yes, no to the extent that she even has a T-shirt to that effect (just in case the audience does not get it). Confuses Luv, his friend, family, Golawala, balloonwala and the audience equally.

All that is Wow

Well, the film gets its look so so right.

Good Locations, good Art Direction and above average camera work by Suraj Kurade sets the tone of the movie.

The music by Parth Bharat Thakkar is good, soulful and in most cases takes the story forward. Ghoome Ghoome is a rocking number sure to hit the Top Charts.

Acting, all four have done a great job. Each of them excels in their individual roles. All in all, it makes the movie very watchable.

Dialogues and some situations were truly funny. The cast carried it well.

Hardik Sangani too rocks in the friends role.

All that is Saav

What is with the story? It just vanishes in thin air. Towards the end one feels completely lost and just wants the film to end.

Casting. While Pratik can make any role look like a cakwalk, he seemed just misfit for the role. A chocolaty, cute and dreamy boy (remember Ranbir) could have been more appropriate for the role. Did he look a tad bit uncomfortable in the lover/playboy/Casanova image. I thought so.

Logic, in most places seems misplaced. The story becomes predictable and slow. Situations are questionable. You want to run away with a girl but have not thought of what next. The entire third sequence of love is all over the place and stretched.

Pretty predictable ending.

And please don’t miss moments:

So, when you are heartbroken, you can waste water.

Men are like Golas...and...hello...this was a family watch...

You say Undhiyu and serve Pulao.

2023 is when the movie starts and yet 2019 they are checking FB timelines????

Teacher goes in and walks out for balloons and the bell rings and kids get the balloons. I want to study in this school (for the teacher, though).

The video has just begun playing and the characters end the same (wait for it).

The Verdict:

Should one watch this movie, of course yes. It is as glamorous as they can get. Besides lessons in love, prem, ishq and what not, you will surely fall in love with the cast.

x

Hellaro – Helluva Movie Mate!

Jignesh Vasavada

4.5 Stars

 

Story of 13 women rising up against circumstances, societal evils and their love of Garba as an expression of freedom (guess, a true-blue Gujarati movie).

There are times in the life of a movie reviewer (I am not a critic) when loss of words is a real possibility. Times when the product or the presentation so overpowers you that you end up forgetting to note. Objectivity takes a back seat and you tend to go with the flow.

One such human moment happened with me last night as I finished watching the much-hyped-much-publicized and much-national-award-among-all-language-movies marketed movie, Hellaro. I actually noted only few basic observations as I let my senses overpower me.

Nope, no major Observations here, more so because the review was always a substitute for the lack of entertainment in the product. I didn’t even notice that popcorn came to me late or that the noted Gujarati director had to ask for them to serve me even as the purser conveniently forgot (I am truly blessed). Not to mention delayed starts or that the filmy folk who are not in the movie dressing up much better than the stars themselves.

But today is not about these inconsequential, there is much to note and write, hence I intend to dive straight in. 

Is Hellaro the most perfect Gujarati movie ever? Of course not.

Is this the best Gujarati movie ever? I dare say, not.

Is this among the most flawless movies in recent times? You could say so.

Is this a movie that deserved the coveted National Award, hence should we watch it, heck, I am no jury, yes, the movie is very good. Period.

Put to rest all your doubts and allow yourself to be transported to 1975 in a small parched village in Kutch desperately awaiting rains (yes, this is before the Narmada Canal days when there was not even hope!!!). A typical male dominated society, like then and now, Hellaro is a folklore of brave village women mustering courage to not only stand up against societal evils but to showcase their love for Garba, here, an expression of freedom and rights.

 Any more and I am spilling the beans. Yes, the story is about this much only. But just like most things in life, there are twists and turns, invocations and emotions that take you on a wonderful journey replete with fun, humour, dance, fights, hatred, love and loads of memorable liners.

 Hellaro is a multi-starrer in a unique way. The hero, fighting for the top spot, is the music. Mehul Surti, (the much acclaimed Mozart of Gujarat) revels in this brilliant rendition of folk flavor interspersed with a touch of the modern. The music drives you all along, helping you define emotions and journeys along giving you fantastic highs and lows.

 A close second is the Cinematography & Choreography. Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni, a veteran of Wrong Side Raju, Ragini MMS & Emotional Atyachar had a brilliant canvas in the form of the Rann of Kutch. And he captures it like a painting. Every frame, composition is a complete painting captivating you in its full glory.

 The choreographers Arsh & Sameer Tanna kept the emotions so well defined with their moves that the listener actually got involved. Each emotion had a different step. I can bet there was not a single feet that was not tapping with the beat.

Next comes Dialogues from the Pitamaah of theatre, Saumya Joshi. He gets it right all the time and gets applauded more than once, a rarity on the big screen. Some gems, delivered by the lead actress shows the maturity of writing and lends a lot of depth into the character.

Everything else can be bundled into the next few. Editing by Prateek Gupta, yet another stalwart from Goonga Pehlwan to Love ni Bhavai, keeps us on the edge with his tight craft. The brilliant climax is full credits to screenplay and editing giving us a lump in the throat moment.

In the acting department, people would jump to praise the thirteen National Award winning Heroines, I would stray a bit and begin with Maulik Nayak who lightens up the screen with a flawless performance. His portrayal is so strong, easy, un-noticeable yet he leaves a strong impression in his role. The Pack of leading ladies led by Shraddha Dangar, Denisha, Kaushambi and others get their fair share of screen and opportunity and they make the most of it.

Aarjav is under-utilized so is Jayesh More. While he is the face of the movie, Jayesh did not seem to have a lot of opportunities to show case his talent. Also, the role of Jayesh's daughter Reva could have been done by someone more talented. 

 

All in all, Abhishek Shah (who seems to be present in every department of film-making) needs to take a Bow. You made a classic which has lifted the benchmark for Gujarati Movies and Film-makers. A big thank you for the entertainment.

Hellaro, sooner or later you will have to watch it, why not sooner.