Gulmohar

Gulmohar (2023 Unique storytelling scripted with some utter truths of the modern world and families. In cities, buildings are getting taller and the bond between family members even weaker. The biggest irony regarding modern society is how everyone around us is trying to disguise their individuality and racing towards virtual love and popularity. Humans of the 21st-century love to pull a complicated card out of a deck of a simpler life.

The world seems so technologically advanced that a family rarely has a discussion sitting together in a room. As we continue to advance technologically, it is important to maintain strong familial bonds and prioritise authentic human connection. Despite the allure of virtual popularity, true fulfilment comes from genuine relationships and a shared sense of community. We must make a conscious effort to resist the temptation of solitary, superficial life and instead embrace the richness and depth that come from human connection.

While moving out from their old house of 34 years family experiences different emotions, learn different expects of their relations and discovers something different in them.

The movie is all about this heartfelt story written by directer Rahul V Chitella and Arpita Mukherjee which is along with great performances by the cast specially Sharmila Tagore, Manoj Bajpayee,Amol Palekar and others. You feel with them and experience their emotions which create a connect with the audience and made it a heartfelt watch.

The music given by Prasad S N and songs penned by Tanveer Ghazi are also endearing. This should be in your must watch list this weekend.

Gulmohar focuses on dysfunctional family's last four days in their home before they shirt permanently to their new homes and lives respectively. Hidden truth, insecurities make their way out as the family members try hard to keep it together. It indeed is a touching concept to dwell into a family's attachment to the house they grew up in. Gulmohar has several endearing characters and their internal conflicts highly relatable.

The short coming is how much it relies on dialogues to convey the emotions, to an extent they tend to touch the surface of several conflicts. It is indeed the Veteran actors who effortlessly get into the skin of these characters and elevate each of these scenes. One wishes the conflict point within the family with respect to the written will was much stronger, especially the final conversation between Sharmila Tagore and Amol Palekar.

I am going with the extra rating solely for the reveal in the end about Pondicherry. Otherwise I definitely wished the conversation between Sharmila Tagore and her grand daughter to be more real. But the attempt to make the flashback more emotional, it limits itself in handling the sensitive moment. The screenplay has it's flaws but the lovable characters turn this into a decent watch.

Manoj Bajpayee in an interview said that he is very proud of this movie and I can attest to the fact that this is a wonderful movie with beautiful performances, music and vibes.

If you are craving for a movie that's somewhat thematically similar to Kapoor & Sons or Monsoon Wedding, this would fit right in there and yet Gulmohar creates its own space for itself though it's not new.

I loved the performances by every cast member and it felt natural. The music was amazing and it elevated the scenes and the emotions that were being portrayed.

It's not a perfect movie. There are some elements which feel they were not necessary to the screenplay or maybe seemed a bit forced to attract the Gen-Z audience to Disney+ Hotstar especially the storylines with the 2 Batra kids. But Suraj and Utsavi acted well.

I first thought this could be some psychological thriller looking at the poster but it was actually a emotionally heavy feel good movie. I would definitely recommend to watch this film!

Gulmohar is a drama film directed by rahul v chittella.

Manoj bajpayee and sharmila tagore are the souls of this film. The chemistry and the acting crescendos that happen between the duo is marvellous. So much of these two legends are still untapped, i feel. Simran as arun's wife plays the mediator wonderfully. Stuff has hit the fan and she is the calmest and subtlest of all. The rest of the characters in their roles are perfect.

This film gets the relationships and its complexities on point. When a major conflict is discovered, all the relationships are put to a test. Arun, on his hurtful resentments with his mom ends with a heartfelt closure. But not every relationship gets a closure is the major crux. Arun and his son's conflict is still unsolved yet they choose to be together and have fun. The love between the cook and guard was the best executed. How one's illiteracy and unworthy of someone can fuel jealousy and futile ego is brilliantly shed light upon, without villainizing them. The lesbian angle is touched on the surface though. It required more depth.

The cinematography is outstanding. The use of natural light and light yellow hue provides warmth. The music is soulful and artistic. The use of bgm is minimal.

The screenplay thought engaging lacks pace and sometimes warmth too. The angle of adi's startup feels overwrought and tiring. Similarly, arun's mom's flashback portions is also half-hearted. Needed better writing.

This is a wonderful film which has a lot of warmth and good vibes. You will surely love it.