Hellaro

Just finished Hellaro (Gujarati) which left me teary eyed. I'll start with the liberty taken in script by presuming that almost men on earth are bad human beings with only few good ones and that's the reason that this world hasn't collapsed yet. You'll end up liking it more if you're Garba lover (like me) and loves Gujarati folk songs. Film is set in 1975 during emergency era showing the lives of women in a remote village of Kutch (desert of Gujarat) where they are treated like objects not even permitted to do Garba. That's a different thing altogether that in today's Gujarat even if you think about stopping any girl from doing Garba there are high chances that you'll be found murdered 😃😃. How a drummer meets them once while in their daily routine job of fetching water from far away pond and how their dull and torturous life takes a twisting turn is depicted so wonderfully giving you several lump in the throat moments. Shraddha Dangar as Manjhri and Jayesh More as Mulji (drummer) are standout performer. But all credit goes to Abhishek Shah who has written Story, Screenplay and also is producer and director. It's simple and brilliant story of heart wrenching plight of rural women. No wonder it received National Award for Best Feature Film and have deservedly IMDB rating of 8.8 (though votes are less). I also believe Hellaro should've been chosen India's Oscar entry over Gully Boy. Any movie which brings tears down to your cheeks and genuine smile on your face shouldn't be missed. Don't miss it !! My Rating: 4.5/5P.S.: If anyone can't relate about what's the big deal about Garba, just visit Gujarat once during Navratri and you'll see how crazy are Gujaratis especially girls for Garba.

One of the finest movies of the year. It's in-depth research of 70's society of regional India is breathtakingly mesmerising. Characters are well developed, cinematography is top-notch, acting is commendable, music is groovy, direction is good. Writing was always going to be tricky as it is a period drama, and it has thus few plot holes. But acting, dialogues are saviours to direction and Hellaro is an enjoyable film. Very few dull moments (that too if you find those cheesy), else it's an excellent film.

P. S. If you expect Satyajit Ray or Bimal Roy type direction, might get misunderstood. This is a film to embrace change when the world and society is changing. With no sense of economical background shown and all that of social areas have been discussed, film required no serious raw scenes. Its quite natural out there where any modern Indian village people would do what's required.

This is my first Gujarati movie, Watched with subtitles "on", Hellaro is a movie worth watching not only for its message but for showcasing the different shades of a woman. The garba dance sequences are amazing I think its worth it.

it is really based on the tales on the vrajvani dham temple where the women of ahir caste sacrificed their life for playing garba.

A visual treat, strong acting, Excellent music,very basic yet powerful message,emotional journey of characters, irony this films offers all.

No matter what is your native language is, read subtitle if you like, you will be immersed into the river of emotions!

Being a cinema lover, I felt that India just missed an opportunity of bringing Oscar home by not sending HELLARO to Oscars. Deep meaning Dialogues and Music works like icing on a cake.

I request you to watch this movie with your family even if you aren't Gujarati.

A must watch movie!

WHEN THE GUJRATI PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE MOVIE, JUST THEY THINK ABOUT THE GARBA . BUT THANKS TO HELLARO THIS FILM JUST CHANGE GUJRATI PEOPLE MIND SET ABOUT THE GARBA, SUPRBLY DIRECTED GARBA EXTREEMLY GOOD.

It would not be exaggerating if I call it the best movie released till now in year 2019 across all languages. Anything and everything about this movie is just perfect. The director ( Abhishek Shah is a very well known name in Gujarati Theatre fraternity) has taken of care each and every minute details, music is just mesmerising, choreographers have done their job so nicely, you will not see such kind of use of Garba in any other movie, in past and for next many years to come. Singers like Aditya Gadhvi, Bhumi Trivedi, Aishwarya Majmudar and Shruti Pathak are icing on the cake. Saumya Joshi has given life to it by giving fantastic lyrics and all dialogues in the movie. And best part is all the actors, particularly female cast ( not a single flaw I could find in anybody's acting) Jayesh More sir deserves a big award for his role in movie (May be oscar only .. watch movie , you will not find it even little exaggerating ).

I know it would be difficult for any non gujju to comprehend full essence of dialogues, however, please go and watch, you will find this the best movie in 2019 because of its music, acting, screenplay, storyline and whatnot. (For gujjus, you would love each and every dialogue written by Saumya Joshi sir) Loved each and every moment of this movie