In the mid-90s, when the cable channels took over the responsibility of making family dramas for their daily viewers with all tried and tested formulas, Hindi film-makers stopped making them and "Family Genre" vanished all of a sudden from our Hindi cinema. Still occasionally films like BAGHBAAN, English VINGLISH and more successfully tried to keep the genre alive and a similar kind of attempt is also made by director Indra Kumar in his latest venture SUPER NANI, which can also be termed as a comeback film of the ageless diva Rekha.
Reportedly based on the hit Gujarati play 'Baa Ae Maari Boundary', the basic plot revolves around the lady of the house going through a shocking makeover regaining her forgotten self-respect and passions of life. It readily reminds you of Sridevi in English VINGLISH and also brings back the memories of Rekha's own hit KHOON BHARI MAANG wherein too she comes back as a supermodel (though there is a huge difference in the basic theme and age factor depicted in both the movies).
SUPER NANI begins on an emotional note talking about the importance of mother in every family and then goes on to introduce all seen before kind of characters reminding you of the 80s family dramas, especially the ones featuring Kader Khan and Govinda. Director Indra Kumar keeps the movie crisp with all fast moving sequences along with his typical insertions of humour like the Gay Yamraj. Plus the timely introduction of Anupam Kher in another weird comical get-up saves it from becoming a drag putting it honestly. In addition, Rekha sportingly doing all those 'Filmy' sequences referring to Madhubala, Nargis and even Amitabh Bachchan, spreads smiles among the audience, particularly impressing the middle aged ones sitting in the theater.
The film holds your attention well before the intermission, but in the second half gets back to everything predictable, seen before and over melodramatic quite sadly. In short, this easily could have been another English VINGLISH banking on the comeback of a veteran artist. But its routine screenplay, uninspiring songs and a climax similar to BAGHBAN doesn't let you praise the film as anything fresh or well attempted by the experienced team. Yet, a must mention point remains that after a long time here is a family drama with a Bhajan in its soundtrack breaking the set trend. However I terribly miss the traditional rhythm and the sound of Indian instruments in such songs very frankly. Coming to the performers, needless to say that SUPER NANI entirely belongs to Rekha alone, still the noteworthy acts include the one coming from Sharman Joshi and Anupam Kher playing the Nani's school time friend.
Though the faulty Hindi accent of Sharman remains unconvincing throughout and should have been avoided. Nevertheless the talented actor manages to put up a good show along with Anupam Kher in the film's second half. Randhir Kapoor, as the husband is OK contributing nothing new and the same can be said about Rajesh Kumar, Anchal Dwivedi and Shreya Narayan too (who impresses in her few scenes later). Shweta Kumar, on the other hand gets nothing much to do as the film's heroine unfortunately, whereas Vishakha Subedarplays her typical role of a bai in a perfect style.
Summing up, SUPER NANI is all about the star of the film Rekha, right from the first scene to the last and she has once again delivered a polished act in her various avatars, looking stunning even at 60. So if you are a true fan then should certainly not miss the opportunity to watch her on the big screen after so many years in a full-fledged role. But if you are not, then can easily wait and watch after its DVD release or on a channel airing soon in the next few weeks.
