Gulabo Sitabo Review: Amitabh Bachchan And Ayushmann Khurrana Cook Up A Heartwarming, Slice-Of-Life Story

• Reviews
• Updated:June 12, 2020 12:27 IST

• Authors: Zinia Bandyopadhyay (Editorial Team)
• Follow

Aren’t human beings supposed to be creatures who have their own vices and fallacies? But often times, these vices are what we are criticized for. How about a film that takes us along in the journey of individuals, with their own shortcomings, to celebrate the larger picture- life and survival? That is exactly what Gulabo Sitabo is about.

Gulabo Sitabo, as one could make from the trailer, seemed to be about the Tom and Jerry like relationship between Mirza, a landlord and one of his tenant, Bankey. But the film is so much more than that. It revolves around the haveli where these characters reside and spins a tale where we come across every possible vice in all characters, but would never be able to hate it. If Mirza has greed, then Bankey is shrewd and deceptive, but there are others with greater degree of these vices around them. It is a light, slice-of-life film that presents us with the character as they are, without passing a judgement. This film is no moral science lesson, but merely presents characters who are very close to those that we meet in our everyday lives.

The film starts off a little abruptly and for the first 30 mins, the face feels slow. But that is the time you would need to get accustomed and in sync with the characters in the film. As they take you along the journey, you would laugh at their antics, but never at them. They are like the puppets, like a ‘madari ka bandar’ who are dancing at the ‘dugdugi’ of the almighty.

This one is a classic Shoojit Sircar film- where a story is presented as it is. He has given his midas touch to Juhi Chaturvedi’s wonderful story and the two have actually created magic. And the actors give the cherry in the top. Amitbh Bachchan is impeccable as Mirza, who wants the haveli by any means! His mannerisms and body language proves that this role was tailor made for him. In fact, probably no one could have done a justice to Mirza like he did. Ayushmann Khurrana too delivers a top notch performance. With the paunch and the lisp, he tries something different yet again, and damn, he is good at this one too. The two are a treat to watch! But we cannot take away the credit from other stars. Shristi Shrivastav is a revelation in this film. She plays Ayushmann’s sister Guddo, who just wants to land a job and secure the future of the family, in any way possible. Then there is Vijay Raaz, who has proved yet again that he is a gem of an actor. Brijendra Kala is also worth the applause.

The background score gets a little out of sync at times and the editing could have been crisper. But given the circumstances, it’s commendable that the film was finally released! The cinematography is brilliant here.

Give the film some of your patience in the beginning and be prepared to experience this heartwarming and amazingly narrated journey. This should definitely be watched at least once!