Gulabo Sitabo

Gulabo Sitabo is a well-crafted satirical film with a picturesquely crumbling mansion at its center. It's a film rich in details, be it the characters, relationships, desires, lust, insecurities, or the ploy. Amitabh Bachchan plays the grouchy 'Mirza' with a character actor's delicacy and attention to detail. Ayushmann Khurrana once again brings something new to the table with his body language, which portrays sadness and bitterness borne out of poverty. Vijay Raaz is effortless as ever, and Brijendra Kala is also terrific. Shrishti Shrivastava deserves a special mention. Last but not the least, Farrukh Jafar is an absolute delight to watch. Despite few dull moments and a bit slow, the film manages to string all the loose ends well together in the end. The thoughtfully well-written songs in the backdrop add texture to the film. In short, the film explores different traits of the mortals with an underlying message through a simple, quirky, and enchanting story in a subtly humorous way. In case you miss it, the director's nonchalant reference of the chair depicts it all in the end.

This film shows all the conundrum revolving around a certain property in a chucklesome manner. As Mirza is trying to be the legal owner of the Haveli, he involves a lawyer into the matter. And, as Bankey is trying to protect the rights and roof of the tenants, the government gets involved. Everyone has their personal interest in the property, the lawyer wants to sell the land off to the builder and the government uses all its tricks to acquire the land. These things are totally shown in a dramatized and a humorous manner and it doesn't all come heavy with information or emotions. It is a purely- light hearted film. Also, due appreciation needs to be given to Amitabh Bacchan's acting. His large nose, his way of speaking and walking complement to the character that Bacchan is playing and not the other way round. Ayushmann Khurrana and Amitabh Bacchan play their characters so well that it is hard to imagine the film with any other actors. Vijay Raaz plays as an officer of the Archaeological Department and Brijendra Kala plays the lawyer and no words are needed for their performances.

Every actor in this movie did justice to their respective roles. The cinematography was done elegantly to capture the rawness. Music was inciting calmness.

But all of this was dragged down by an extremely slow pace. Watch this if you can be patient or iur are gonna loose interest in first 30-40 mins.

A beautiful tale of some crazy people and their fight for an old Haveli.. Another must watch from Shoojit Sircar.. The story is so simple yet touching, makes you think who is right and who is wrong. Music is great and the cinematography is also very nice. The inner beauty of Lucknow city is depicted truly.

Gulabo Sitabo (2020) : Movie Review -

A confined and narrow topic gets a little funny treatment but couldn't fight its own mess somehow. Gulabo Sitabo is the same old topic about Greed and excessive hunger hence making the narrative and ending very much predictable. However, it creates a little fun with the help of characters and situations. It goes on to touch cheap level sometimes but otherwise it generates humourous laughters. There are plenty of loopholes in the plot around the characters and legal procedures which could have been handled with precautions but wasn't helped.

Gulabo Sitabo tells a story of Mirza (Amitabh Bachchan) who has married an older woman for the sake an Ancient Mansion and one of his tenant Baankie (Ayushmann Khurrana) who is also looking for his share and opportunities to get something which never belonged to him. Later, the predictable conflicts such as Politics, Legal Actions and Archeology departement's interest make a solid mess. This mess somehow is enjoyable at some level. Gulabo Sitabo begins on a slow note wasting so much time on introduction of the characters and after spending almost 40 minutes on that the real fun begins. But the treatment given towards the end is not upto the mark considering the potential of the subject.

Ayushmann Khurrana as Baakie is strictly decent. His accent works very well but only of you are familiar with Lucknow's traditions. Amitabh Bachchan as Mirza is Fantastic and undoubtedly the Best Performer among the cast. Vijay Raaz, Brijendra Kala and rest of the supporting cast does a fine job. Music is too dark and therefore looks dull despite the fact that it was highly situational. Dialogues and Cinematography are okay.

Shoojit Sircar gets the conviction right but somehow his storytelling is outdated and typical. Also, Gulabo Sitabo has plenty of loopholes in the story, characters and screenplay. Some characters behaves so dumb and that too without any reason or clarification. The legal events too doesn't make much sense. Shoojit Sircar could have worked on these shortcomings and Gulabo Sitabo would have definitely became a Must Watch product. For now it is a Good film and one time watchable thing which could have easily came from any ordinary bollywood director with ordinary cast. Ayushmann Khurrana continues his chain of Good films but the level of standard is one down this time.

RATING - 6/10*