What is it all about?
Dear Priyan, what have you done? Milli delicious irani kebab ki recipe aap ne isme kyun Indian haddi dalne di. Joota karne laga chur chur aur audience ho gayi isse duur (away). Got it……….forget it. In simple English, Priyadarshan after being exhausted by the continuing 'De Dana Dan' and 'Bhagam Bhag', tries to revisit the 'Kanchivaram' terrain by adapting the familiar Iranian cinematic masterpiece 'Children OF Heaven' by Majid Majidi. Alas, the veteran this time losses considerable charm.
The Story…….of course
Adds the unwanted 'terrorist' element to this otherwise sweet, uplifting story of Majid Majidi 'Children of Heaven' which was nominated for 1997 Oscars in the best foreign film language film category. Khogiram (Atul Kulkarni), his wife (Rituparna Sengupta) and their kids Pinu (Darsheel Safary) and Rimzim (Ziya Vastani) belong to a terrorist-dominated region. Khogiram and Ritu have a hand-to-mouth income and can barely manage things. The kids are affected by this as well. They go to a respectable school as it is Khogiram's ambition to give them the educational opportunities he missed. But the financial crunch makes it difficult for kids to match the standards of the school. They don't have enough money for uniform or shoes.
What to look out for?
The moments between the kids are lovely but not original. The sister played by Ziyah Vastani is the best part of this flick. The girl is damn cute and acts beautifully; she is a bundle of talent. Darsheel is fine and a brand puller if not the crowd puller but the girl attracts maximum attention.
The child actors create winningly serious-minded characters nevertheless and the adults contribute valuable support where Atul Kulkarni excels. Camerawork is excellent. Sulabha Deshpande is competent.
At least it's good to see Priyadarshan interest in trying something uplifting in Hindi.
What not?
Tries to please everybody in the huge Indian audience and adds unnecessary elements like 'Terrorism' to this sweet little idea which pleases no one but its brand promoters who shamelessly ruin, murder this flick which if the makers would have want to could have been a uplifting, beautiful experience which speaks in volume about faith, honesty and supports the adage 'Do Your Thing Everything Else Will Follow'.
Alas, Priyadarshan who has the reputation of a smart story teller shockingly goofs up in vital departments. The story is supposed to be based in Assam but we hear Bengali somewhere. And the costumes appear to be rented from Kashmir.
Aamir smartly put the plucky yet vulnerable children on a quest thingies to a desire effect and mind you he was also inspired from the same maker 'Majid Majidi' who has handsomely used the child psyches to tell his story making it acceptable worldwide. Casting a child to tell a story can be useful if done right and can be disastrous if not done accordingly.
Rituparno doesn't get much scope.
Conclusion: The sum effect of this Bollywood adaptation of the Irani masterpiece is a tedious affair which evaporates the charming beautiful intention of the original in its quest to please all and everyone. Wait for its worldwide premier on the small screen.
Rating **
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