Sonali Cable

A simple movie that mainly Mumbaikars might be able to connect..it could have been better..shows how politics and goondagardi exists in every walk of life nowadays..the supporting starcast are ace actors..leads are just ok...Rhea's attempt to speak Mumbai ya English seems to be forced.. are the reviewers here confusing Raja Kher with Anupam Kher..he is a good actor bit gone over the top here...just ok for a 1 time watch.

This is an emotionally powerful film without any unnecessary melodrama. Without being the typical bollywood it gives some insight into the challenges faced by small business owners from big corporates. The main plot is engaging and well paced but I found myself more interested in the lives of the minor characters. More scenes with the Bengali operator Beedi talking about his past life, and his dreams and aspirations would have been fun. Similarly the lives of other minor characters explored more in depth would have been fun to watch. Anupam Kher could have been more humiliating towards his employees to realise the full potential of his character. I didn't like how he kept a cotton swab lodged in his ear, that was unrealistic. I feel that the director was trying to keep the film mainstream by using colourful scenes with choreographed dances and such but it would have worked better if there was a push instead towards making this film look even more like parallel cinema. On the positive side, everybody acted well and the script worked emotionally.

Its always refreshing to see films with some new likable faces without any prior information of what they are going to offer in those two hours. And considering this particular viewpoint, SONALI CABLE remains a pleasant one time watch based on an interesting realistic plot talking about the cable network and their local owners personally handling their connected households. However sadly it can also be rated as a film which could have easily become another KHOSLA KA GHOSLA, FUKREY or BAND BAAJA BAARAT with its immensely likable content, but fails to take its all realistic characters to the next level and manages to deliver just a feel good average result due to a hurried and weak final hour.

The film begins well with a fresh approach and starts placing all connecting dots intelligently pointing towards a good script in hand. The progression delivers few entertaining moments in the first hour along with a fine satire pointing towards the greedy corporate culture eying at every single person living in the city. But the culmination starts happening at a quite hurried pace and it more or less becomes all routine or clichéd towards the climax. Also the camera-work & background score remain above average with editing thankfully maintaining a racy pace throughout.

But despite the above mentioned shortcomings, a female protagonist straight out of the real life fighting back against a powerful corporate giant largely works in the favour of the film and one doesn't mind watching it mainly due to the enjoyable performance of Rhea Chakraborty alone, fluently speaking her Marathi lines with confidence. The young, straight forward and bold character shiningly played by Rhea (in only her second film) becomes the sole attraction of the movie undoubtedly along with few good supporting acts coming from Ali Fazal (also in his second film), Faizal Rashid and Smita Jaykar. Anupam Kher in a not so lengthy role of a cunning businessman once again shows his versatility in playing different characters post his fabulous act in EKKEES TOPPON KI SALAAMI. Plus both exceptionally talented Swanand Kirkire and the debutant Raghav Juyal surely deserve a special mention here for being the surprise elements of the film with their impressive acts.

In his first attempt writer-director Charu Dutt Acharya could have delivered a much better and impactful film if he had given more attention to its conclusive hour adding a different climax twist than the usual 'seen before' one. He shapes up his well-placed characters superbly (especially Sonali's) but isn't able to play with them as effectively as desired in the second half. For instance, the sudden ineffective revelation of his wife's departure and no logical depiction of the serious crime committed by Swanand Kirkire in the end simply looks weird with his daughter being least concerned about the same enjoying her own success. Further being a small film, I strongly feel that a director must look out for at least one catchy, enjoyable song from his music directors to get that much required attention from the viewers which is strongly missing in the film's weak soundtrack.

Nevertheless, I would still like to appreciate the Sippy's for backing such small venture with all fresh faces as this is only the way to tap the new hidden talent among the youngsters. Yes, SONALI CABLE surely could have been a great film with a potential plot line revealing the ugly games of the corporates played with the common man. Yet its much better than many hugely publicized silly films and has its heart right in place with a very sweet and worth praising performance of Rhea Chakraborty. So it can certainly be seen once for Rhea & Raghav alone to support the effort made.

Bollywood is the biggest movie industry in the world where each Friday churns out a new genre of films. Sonali Cable is a daring attempt never seen before on Indian Cinema. Unfortunately it has few moments to hold your attention.

A small-time cable shop is threatened by a big tycoon who is willing to take over the city of Mumbai. Sonali Cable tells the story of young and dynamic Sonali who must survive the wave and get back her shop which she proudly runs.

I would like to mention here that as a first time director Cahurdutt Acharya has put in a sincere efforts. Full marks should be given to him for tackling the story so efficiently. The cinematography of the flick is an average. Background score is poor. The screenplay could have been a bit tighter. Rhea Chakraborty is a fine actress. She plays the chirpy yet fiery role with aplomb. Ditto goes for the performance by the rest of the star cast.

Overall, the movie is a decent watch. You may want to give it a try. Decent – 2.75 / 5

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• Ketan

Sonali Cable starts off as an intriguing story but disconnects itself from the point of the film incredibly fast.. For the Orwellian nightmare that it sketches, for when Sonali steps across the foyer of Shine Inc and on to the shining image that is A, for Sonali's monologue for the Little Person towards the end, and for portraying death and dreams with a finesse I haven't seen in a while don't want to give away the plot but when Hartline's go offline BE PREPARED TO CRY. 1. A pretty Rhea C, who struggles in the acting department. Ali Fazal too is patchy, I've-acting for half of it & playing it real for the other.

2. A very dry treatment to an otherwise exciting premise. Just gets plain boring after a point.

3. One song too many, quite unnecessary.

4. Absolutely no chemistry between the lead pair.

5. Pretty random climax.

To sum it up, Sonali Cable is a cute small film that meanders away after a point. Give it a miss