I have always looked forward to watching Vidya Balan's films, which is why I watched her latest one, Tumhari Sulu, and decided to share this movie review. I read many reviews which bring in the feminist aspect of the narrative. I want to look at the little details of an ordinary life that are portrayed by Vidya Balan's extraordinary acting. As ''Sulu'', Vidya Balan breathes life into the character of bubbly housewife, whose life revolves around her husband, son and of course, her favorite hobby of participating in all kinds of contests and winning them with a die-hard spirit.
[Image: Vidya Balan's Facebook page]
Vidya Balan's mastery over details comes through in every scene - shooing off birds so that they don't put ''potty'' on her clothes, posing in front of the mirror with the kind of bag that working women use and pretending to be one, and even the air of confidence she wears to mask the despair she feels. That her father and twin sisters keep reminding her in not-so-subtle ways that she wasn't great at her academics does bother her but she takes it in her stride most of the time, finds joy in her husband's adoration of her and reigns supreme in her small, happy home.
As you watch Sulu's sudden transformation with a very sexy ''Hello'' in her radio jockey mode, you cannot but observe the finer details and how deftly they have been woven into the narrative. For instance, she demonstrates in little ways that she is happy but also self-conscious about her dialogues in the night show and that her husband may not like it.
In the course of her work, she starts picking up cool words that her colleagues use, like ''Chill,'' and ''Bro'' which she begins to use at home, causing her husband to wonder about what exactly is going on. A work environment is liberating and challenging for women but it is most challenging to balance the dynamics with family members. To win the trust and confidence of every family member becomes key. And when tragedy strikes and the rumblings of discord show, you feel your heart break for Sulu, literally.
[Image: Vidya Balan's Facebook page]
Vidya Balan is definitely the heart and soul of 'Tumhari Sulu' but she has also brought out the best in other character artists. Manav Kaul, the very talented actor who plays the role of her husband, holds his ground well from start to finish. The songs, which is usually where a film gets tested most, are delightful, particularly the peppy and romantic ''Suno Meri Rani Rani'', which is still playing continuously in my head and of course, ''Hawa Hawaii''. I loved it!
The scenes with Neha Dhupia are so heartwarming. This is perhaps the first time that I liked Neha Dhupia's acting and trust me, I have watched several of her movies till date. I particularly enjoyed observing her interactions with the poet colleague Vijay Maurya, with whom she again shares a brilliant rapport.
Perhaps it is this amazing energy, the quality of her acting and the warm sparkle to Vidya Balan's persona that makes you feel happy to watch her. I also like the fact that she doesn't force herself to conform to Bollywood's 'size zero' and 'designer wear' obsession. She sticks to her role, delivers it so well and at the end, all you want to do is to give her a standing ovation.
While the movie does not have a perfect ending (in my opinion) or a perfect solution, it is definitely a movie which tugs your heartstrings, makes you think and consider the serious challenges that an Indian woman tackles every day, whether she is working or not. Go, fall in love with ''Sulu'' - she's a real person with unique strengths and flaws, just like you and me.
I love movies that show real people and real feelings. How about you? Which is the last movie you watched that really made you feel that it is a slice of real life? I'd love to watch it too.
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