Shimla Mirchi

It's a good family entertainer albeit slow in pace. Good to see Hema Malini and Dharmendra together on screen after so long.

'Shimla Mirchi' begins in a somewhat strong fashion, I found myself interested in the story that it presents. However, by the time the final scenes come around I kinda lost that interest.

First, the positives. I like the dynamic between Avi and Naina, it works for the premise. Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh come across well together, while Hema Malini does a good job as Rukmini. Decent cast.

The plot surrounding the aforementioned three is fun for the first half, though once things become more settled and understood it ends up losing its way - the third act is tiresome, it feels very dragged out.

This film has some enjoyable elements to it, with nice locations and solid music, but concludes in a rather dull manner.

Very poor direction, Very poor screenplay, Very poor dialogue, Very poor story, Very poor acting.

I dont blame Rajkummar Ra, bcoz we all know he is very talented actor. All discredit goes to the filmmaker team.

Shimla Mirchi review :

The only reason I sacrificed my precious afternoon nap to travel all the way to suburban Bandra to catch this film which is carrying absolutely no buzz is its director Mr. Ramesh Sippy.

As I settled down inside one of the empty audi of G7 multiplex, I was reminded of the veteran directors past glory. Indeed, Ramesh Sippy has achieved immortality with Sholay (1975) - a cinematic masterpiece and the biggest blockbuster of Bollywood so far. For the 80s audience, Sippy re-defined technical brilliance with Shaan (1980), presented the lustrous Dimple Kapadia like no other could in Saagar (1985) and brought two acting legends - Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar - face to face in Shakti (1982).

Having gone downhill since the 90s, Ramesh Sippy hadn't made a film for nearly two decades since his disastrous Zamaana Deewana (1995). Google tells me that even Shimla Mirchi was a long completed film but delayed for close to five years as it didn't find buyers. Sad if true!!

Loosely based on the French rom com Beautiful Lies (2010), Shimla Mirchi showcases an about to be divorced mom (Hema Malini) falling for a young lad (Rajkummar Rao) who is actually wooing her daughter (Rakul Preet Singh). The concept doesn't quite fit into the Indian milieu. Sippy's previous home production Nautanki Saala (2013) - inspired from another French film Après Vous (2003) - had similar problem. Ahem!!

More woe, the screenplay and dialogues are quite pheeka especially the first half drags at sluggish pace. Sippy spends considerable time in developing his key characters but unfortunately, they don't engage you at all. Technically too, Shimla Mirchi is quite a downer for the high standards Sippy set for himself in the past.

Re-uniting with her director of super hits like Andaz (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and ofcourse Sholay (1975), Hema Malini lends tremendous dignity to her somewhat bold character. Infact, she steals the show completely. Rakul Preet Singh looks pretty and that's about it. Rajkummar Rao tries to ape Shah Rukh Khan (and this ain't a compliment please)!!!

A parting advice : In case you do go, hang on till the end for a surprise appearance by another legend associated with Sippy. Aww that nostalgia!

It's a drag but still bit sweet movie to watch. Actually this movie's trailer gave away the whole story. So you are pretty much watching the same thing over and over again.