Sir - Cenerentola a Mumbai

I don't understand why this film hasn't had a wider release--it hardly has any reviews here, and doesn't seem to be available on DVD or streaming. I saw it at a film festival, and it was the stand-out picture of the series. From a brief description--maid and employer find themselves attracted to each other--I assumed the story would be full of clichés, but the movie breaks them all, and never went where I was expecting. The acting is completely believable, and I was fascinated by the brief but illuminating glimpses of the social system in India, and the relationships between the employer class and the servant class. I would recommend this film to anyone who appreciates thoughtful, insightful stories.

Loved it! Such a beautiful movie. India is so very accurately depicted. And the performances are excellent!

At each point in the film, you feel society as a transparent, near invisible force between the two characters. THe way spatial distance has been used, dealt with, mirroring society's classification of people, is gorgeous. The performances of both Tillotama Shome and vivek Gomber are fab. Great casting here. From the moment the real collision happens and a spatial barrier of sorts is severed is where the mettle of the writer and so also the film is tested. And it's actually from this moment that the film soars way beyond what one had expected. It coolly and deftly averts every cliche and possible corniness that a story like this could have moved into and instead surprises you with such a rise that few films are able to. Gorgeous debut. Tough to believe it's her first film. Tillotama and Vivek stayed with me as their characters way after the film was over. Congratulations Rohena.

"Sir" is a film unlike any other Indian film I have seen. While not all Indian films feature singing and dancing, not having it is unusual. But what's really different is that the story involves ordinary people...people who don't look like Bollywood stars. And, the story is interesting because it's rather mundane compared to most of the Indian films we get in the USA....and I mean this as a compliment.

The story is a very leisurely paced tale about a maid who works for a man in Mumbai. She is a widow and is an excellent maid, but Ratna (Tillotama Shome) is plain and from a lower socioeconomic group than the man she works for, Ash (Vivek Gomber). Ash has recently gone through a painful breakup with his fiancee, as she cheated on him and over time it becomes apparent to Ash that the only woman he truly trusts is Ratna...and over time he comes to love her. But such a relationship cannot be in India....and would be tough anywhere. And, more importantly, Ratna cannot allow this as she knows the predicament it would place them both in...and her feelings simply aren't a deciding factor.

This film is a nice bit of insight into real people and real problems in India. While I love more traditional Indian films, I enjoyed this because unlike the usual Bollywood offering, this one seems to have a bit more depth and was about real people...which I really appreciate. Well made and interesting....and available streaming through Netflix here in the States.

The trailer will give you the wrong idea. The movie isn't emotional & intense as it implies. Instead it's a slow-paced drama that shows the slowly developing attraction between a maid & her lord. If you're the impatient type, then the pacing might bore you. The relationship develops very slowly & calmly. It is realistic & heartwarming though. By the end, you'll be satisfied viewing it.