I watched Sui Dhaaga last night. In Pune. Unsure of whether there would be subtitles, I was mentally prepared to fall asleep if things got too complicated.
Surprisingly enough, I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the movie!
Why? Was the movie so amazing? – you ask. It may have also been that I couldn’t really read the subtitles clearly. (Need to get my prescription checked.) In any case, I can neither confirm nor deny allegations.
Ingrained Dogma
Tangent aside, the movie was an excellent portrayal of a wholesome story. Save for the fact that Anushka Sharma’s name was first in the credits, I would never have guessed this was her movie.
I may also have sexist expectations after years of male-centric plots. (Okay, that’s not a universal truth. There are probably loads of women-centric movies out there. I just haven’t seen them, I guess.) She drives the story with her perfect village belle portrayal, with an air of unassuming confidence.
No FOMO Here
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…every single character was da bomb. Oh! Did I not say it before?
Sui Dhaaga takes family entertainment to a whole new level. A lovable goofball, a doting mother, a soap addicted father, and a quiet, yet strong wife – near equal screen time, unforgettable performances.
Not to forget the supporting cast – every character is integral to the story, and everyone is right where they have to be at any given moment.
Unapologetically Raw
The realistic portrayal from start to about just before the climax is enough bring a grown man to tears. Visiting painful, yet inescapable truths can be a cinch on paper but hard to capture on screen.
I have newfound appreciation for actors who play the part of the downtrodden. I mean, how good do you have to be to truly find the essence of being the little guy, being stepped on for being the little guy, and finding the courage to follow your dreams because you have nowhere to go but up? I can’t imagine that’s an easy feeling to feel.
Do the Bolly-twist
The climax is another story altogether. With its fair share of cute moments, it tries very hard to seem the opposite of what it is – a cheesy, corny, but satisfying end.
Yes, the little guy (and by guy, I mean girl, woman, man, everyone) wins…but by then you are already rooting for them. They’ve been through so much, that it’s only fair!
Speaking of fair, the film really sinks it’s teeth into the grey area that is social justice and the reality of life in a power hungry country like ours.
Mad in India
And finally, we come to the showstopper, if I may 😄.
The clothes designed for the climax are incredulous to say the least. They’re brilliant, but look like they were ripped straight off a runway somewhere in Milan and fused with the lovely Indian prints that are making a comeback.
Are they beautiful? Undoubtedly. Are the realistic? Probably the only thing about the movie that isn’t.
However, that does little to distract from the point of the movie.
Now, if there’s one thing I came away with, it’s to not get too hung up on details like subtitles. Because when you have the prowess of Anushka Sharma lighting up the screen, it doesn’t really matter if you don’t understand what they’re saying!
TTFN! Ta Ta For Now!
Chronicles of the Twiggy 