Hawaa Hawaai

This movie takes forward the tradition that Amol Gupte himself heralded with TZP. He carried the baton forward with Stanley ka Dabba ( tiffin box ) and with this movie -- he has completed a trilogy of children issue based movies -- however -- make no mistake -- all three movies have packed a punch because of the emotional chord and the realism with which Amol has created all the three story lines -- which truly deserve an whole hearted applaud -- as it is guys like him / Anurag / Dibakar -- who are making a mark amongst the filming fraternity -- which of late seemed to be suffering from a colossal failure in terms of story telling with incessant garbage .

Coming back to the movie -- there are moments when it would be pretty hard to hold back your tears because of the intensity of the scenes -- almost all the child actors and the adult actors have pitched in with a great performance -- and to end this review -- would say to watch it for several burning topics which Amol has picked up and shown in a very layered manner -- whether farmer suicides, poor kids empowerment and most of all -- reaching your goals -- which do not let you sleep. This one would stand the test of time.

9.5 / 10

Director and writer Mr. Amol Gupte's vision and execution are good. He didn't compromise for a single shot if it was required. In this type of sports based film you know the climax before watching the film so always screenplay makes it interesting and here it is. Dialogues are natural and powerful. It is a children based film but most of the dialogues have maturity. Casting and locations of this movie is so perfect that you start believing that you are witnessing a real world but alas, the length and presentation of climax again reminds you that after all it is a film. Humor and emotions are blended very well. Yeah there are few moments when you can feel your eyes getting moist. Maximum credit goes to actors. They are too good in emotional scenes. This movie will be definitely able to spread the roller skater wave among kids. Performance wise Saqib Saleem as coach is very good. He is too good in emotional scenes. Partho Gupte as Arjun is fantastic. Neha Joshi as Arjun's mother is so intense. Anuj Sachdeva and Pragya Yadav are fine. Rest four kids are powerful and natural performers. I wish I could have watched there more scenes. Music supports the film's mood well.

The one person who has mastered the art of how to deal with and extract some exceptional work from kids in Hindi films is Amole Gupte and the director has strongly proved his praiseworthy skill in films like TAARE ZAMEEN PAR (as creative director) and STANLEY KA DABBA winning much recognition including the National Awards. So as expected, one gets to see the glimpses of the same lovable art form in HAWAA HAWAAI too but in a more decorated manner, somewhat different from what we had earlier seen in Amole's previous films.

HAWAA HAWAAI begins well and remains focused on the kids alone, which actually is its major triumph card played throughout the film intelligently. The first half holds out well and the second half gives you some emotional moments too with the final tournament executed in an engaging style. However this time we have a project based on a sport, which is not that famous in the country (found only in the metros) along with some over the top and unrequired sequences too which don't allow the film to excel in its overall execution.

For instance, the 30 Rupees insertion was quite a deliberate one since even a street kid knows that he cannot even get 1 liter of milk in that small amount or even one cutting chai available at a minimum of 5-10 Rupees in the market. So how can they believe just 30 Rupees to be the price of a big roller-blade set being sold at a lavish store, particularly when the kids are supposed to be so sharp & witty in their otherwise mutual interactions? Secondly all those iron-man kind of armors looked like too filmy to be incorporated in a Amole Gupte film desperately trying to make a stronger impact. And lastly a love angle thrown in just for the sake of it was also a clear indication of side- plot inserted forcefully.

So in short, the meaningful warmth witnessed in Amole's STANLEY KA DABAA is sadly missing here and the completely predictable theme of the film plays a major drawback too as always seen in projects based on Sports theme. But still Amole once again brings forward a burning issue of our society i.e. of Child Labour and Minimum Education as the right of every kid residing in the country. The sequences showing the big, ugly class divide existing all around us, hit you hard and one does begin thinking about the same, as the film ends with an interesting scene of a primary class being attended by the grown up kids.

Here I would like to mention a very important sequence in the film, wherein the coach starts training the poor kid, feeling both the responsibility and pride in doing this noble act. But in the process, forgets about the nutrition level to be maintained along with the physically draining, training sessions provided in nights. And I really found this thoughtful insertion a very enlightening one, pointing towards the fact that it's not just sufficient to provide all the kids their minimum education, but we also need to look into their 'nutritional needs' too in order to get their overall development in a much balanced manner.

Revolving around all realistic characters, HAWAA HAWAAI plays the underdog card well in its second half and the performances lift up the film with a fine display of friendship, will power and focused ambitions. The situational soundtrack doesn't grab your attention as it should have but the cinematography presents it delightfully leaving a positive impact. Saqib Saleem wins your heart as the selfless coach. Plus both Neha Joshi (the mother) & Anuj Sachdeva (the elder brother) are terrific in their respective roles. The supporting cast contributes greatly, especially Razzak Khan playing the positive character helping the kids in his garage in just two scenes.

Actually the film deserves to be seen for the five kids alone led by the talented Partho Gupte who once again delivers an astonishing performance as the hardworking boy. He remains the real hero of the film along with his four friends Bhura (Salman Chhote Khan), Gochi (Ashfaque Khan), Abdul (Maaman Memon) and Bindaas Murugan (Tirupathi Krishnapelli), with Gochi taking away most of the smiles in the theater.

In all, despite being predictable and having few avoidable sequences, HAWAA HAWAAI still can be called a decent attempt spreading awareness among the society, keeping the living spirit alive in the underprivileged kids. It's honestly not a step ahead by Amole Gupte but deserves to be seen for its sincere, inspirational performances for sure. Also because we rarely make films here with the kids playing the key roles.

Hawaa Hawaai (Hindi): Finally 'Taare Zameen Par' got its replacement by its own screenwriter Amole Gupte whose script and direction in this film not only brings back the realism, charms and warmth of his 2011 film 'Stanley Ka Dabba' but makes the film a compulsory watching experience for all children and adults. Loaded with great cinematography by Amol Gole, superb editing by Deepa Bhatia and brilliant music score by Hitesh Sonik which make the narrative of this compact film slick and striking, the best part of the film is that you get to see the brilliant character development of all the characters which are warm and humane. The lead played by Partho Gupte and Saqib Saleem is simply superb along with the co-actors. Despite, the pre-climax being slightly draggy, HH ends up as a brilliant, gripping contemporary and charming cinematic experience worth a watch. My rating would be:4.5/5.

Good movies for children are quite rare in Bollywood with few exceptions like Masoom and Taare Zameen Par. Lately, watched "Stanley Ka Dabba" which portrayed the story of an orphan working in a small restaurant. Well, the film wasn't very remarkable but I liked Partho in the central role as Stanley who gets punished by his teacher for not bringing his tiffin box. From the same director (Amol Gupte) and Partho in the central character comes "Hawaa Hawaai" which is much motivating, heart warming and inspiring.

The film presents the small aims that even the orphans and street children thrive for. It motivates to search the aim of your life and see the happiness in the smaller things of life for which the film deserves a commendation. The slow pace and the non star cast might keep this film unnoticed; but the film succeeds in its theme. The central characters of the film involve five kids and all of them have given brilliant performances; and I was stunned by Partho's performance. He just makes his role seem effortless and he succeeds in tying the viewers with his character. On a whole, though the film won't create much of hype, the film still deserves to be watched for the genuine story which motivates to make your life meaningful.

Rating: 2 stars out of 4