Monday, March 21, 2016

Knotty Affairs - Kapoor and Sons


Image from here



Judge me. But I am the kind of movie goer who enjoys scenic locales, good looking star cast, contemporary setting and warm characters. No crime thrillers, violent sagas or sob stories for me, thank you. Is it any surprise, therefore, that I was looking forward to Kapoor and Sons.
Watch the trailer here.

As we know, stories are about protagonists, their goals, the obstacles they face and actions taken to overcome the obstacles. Talking of obstacles, a wicked villain mouthing dialogues like, “Tumhari maa aur behen meri kabze mein hai” is so eighty-ish. Khaandaan ki izzat is outdated. As is ‘parental dushmani’. Today, when parents are encouraging children to find love, when dacoits are missing and dons boring - hindrances come from the regrets, mistakes, quirks and obsessions of characters. Remember Piku? Or Dil Dhadakne Do? Both were about quirky characters and human fallibility where characters had created their own demons. Plus, of course, the magic of small moments. Likewise, Kapoor and Sons is about a flawed family where fault lines get exposed when characters come together.

Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak Shah are struggling to save their marriage when their sons, Rahul (Fawad Khan) and Arjun (Sidhartha Malhotra) arrive to visit their ailing Dadu (Rishi Kapoor). The simmering acrimony between brothers and parents unfolds as Tia (Alia Bhatt) gets caught between a handsome Rahul and an embittered Arjun. While the elder brother, Fawad is weighed by a personal secret, the younger brother, Sidhartha, is desperate to emerge from the shadows of his successful brother. And then there is a dirty old Dadu (Rishi Kapoor), obsessed with a wet Mandakini of yore.
While every character is endearing, the holy bubble that encapsulates them keeps getting punctured as secrets tumble out. Several parallel tracks merge to unfold a tale. Set in picturesque Coonoor, the story is soaked in limpid showers of love, moist clouds of emotions and ominous rumblings of resentment.


Any engaging movie has to be about the seductions of magical moments. Like when Ratna cooks bhindi and Sidharth makes a face, when Fawad finds cigarettes in a cassette, when Dadu asks for a credit card to watch porn on I-Papad(I-Pad), or when Alia helps Dadu cheat while playing cards.

I have to admit that while watching Fawad Khan in Khoobsoorat, I felt he was overrated. In Kapoor and Sons, I stand corrected. His debonair looks and sheer presence lends oodles of charisma to the screen. Sidhartha Malhotra, as a second-best son in the film is equally impressive, if not more. With her impish smile, unbridled charm and glowing freshness, Alia Bhatt lights up the screen. She tugs at your heart when she narrates the story of her parents. 
Ratna Pathak Shah as the new age mom is perfectly at ease with taking care of the family and wanting to be an entrepreneur. She is in sync when she is with her sons, but strikes a jarring note with Rajat Kapoor. Just a bit.

Much like Amitabh in Piku, and Anil Kapoor in Dil Dhadakne Do, Kapoor and Sons belongs to Rishi Kapoor. Towards the end, you wonder, how a porn obsessed dirty old man can be so affable. However, I felt his prosthetic make-up could have been toned down. The thick layers hide the twinkle of his eyes when he says, "Itne bade bade bhi hote hain" and the torment of his emotions when he requests the boys to return.

This is not to say that Shakun Batra directed Kapoor and Sons is devoid of unpalatable moments. The film hinges on emotion but oftentimes the bickering between Ratna and Rajat gets over-the-top. Like in the scene when 90th birthday celebrations get hijacked by Ratna's knee-jerk reactions. But then, the story is about a dysfunctional family. Not a Sooraj Barjatya-ish perfect sweet family.

Despite minor flaws, the film succeeds in leaving a merry wink and a moist eye. And, yes. In the film, 'Ladki kar gayi chull' doesn’t sound as nonsensical as it does on the radio. It just blends like the imperfect yet warm characters. The film might not be Oscar worthy, but it is definitely fun worthy. I had a tripping good time. 

33 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good weekend package.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rises right to the top of my list of films to be watched on iTunes 6 months later!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have too many nakhras RK. Imagine not liking Queen but watching Prem Rattan...Guess we should plan a movie meet and force you to watch this one.

      Delete
  3. I watched the trailer on Tv and really liked it.... Your first paragraph resonates my own choice of movies....I want movies to make me feel good, newspapers give me a good dose of the darker aspects of society.... I think I want to watch this movie....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go without expectations. It's a fun one time watch.

      Delete
  4. I watched the trailer on Tv and really liked it.... Your first paragraph resonates my own choice of movies....I want movies to make me feel good, newspapers give me a good dose of the darker aspects of society.... I think I want to watch this movie....

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had almost passed this by because I am no moviegoer,but your narrative is very entertaining and does stir my interest.Now I go to see the trailer.
    Bye!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not a moviegoer myself unless I read a handful of encouraging reviews. Thanks for dropping by Indu.

      Delete
  6. It's been on my 'to-watch' list; haven't had a chance yet. Perhaps this weekend.
    A good write up, Alka :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just watched the movie over the weekend and loved it to the core. Fawad Khan and Rishi Kapoor are just brilliant. Must watch.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Now I want to watch it..But will have to wait for it on torrents...I like feel good movies too..You mention Piku and I loved that too...So, on your word will watch this one as well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you like it. I watch only after a handful of encouraging reviews. Else no point wasting money and time.
      Thanks for reading and the RT. Truly.

      Delete
  9. Doubt if I'll watch it but I enjoyed reading your review, Alka.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only a handful are worth the time and money. I saw Queen, Piku, Tanu weds Manu2 and this one. No regrets. And yes Dil Dhadakne Do despite its crazy ending.

      Delete
  10. That's an amusing piece of review on the movie where character analysis is being done pretty adroitly. Though I hardly watch movies, but once in a while is worth.

    ReplyDelete
  11. i went to this movie after reading so many positive reviews on tabloids and electronic media. movie is about a perverted family. in one scene ,alia bhat hits a senior citizen on his bald head while having drink at restaurant and says its some mosquito. do ya call a girl bubbly for hitting an old man on his bald head for fun. most of characters in this movie are characterless and superficial like many bollywood celebrities.movie has double meaning words that you find during filmfare awards. if you like dirty fun,you can watch. i din't like this movie coz its about characterless people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Respect your views. Different folks, different jokes.

      Delete
  12. I think this review deserves to be in the papers. Very very nicely done Alka ..And I did enjoy the movie !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You made me so happy, glad you liked both - the movie and the review.

      Delete
  13. Good review Alka. Hoping to watch this one soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd probably watch it for Ratna Pathak alone! The trailer looks promising. Trying to drag people to the theater for so long. Your review has made me want to watch this all the more! Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love her too although she becomes edgy in the scenes with Rajat Kapoor. All good looking folks, too much eye candy. Plus there is a script, an actual screenplay. Hope you enjoy it too.

      Delete
    2. I Loved It!! How can people not like it, it's such a simple movie!! Only Alia's part was a cliché. Other than that oh my god it was brilliant. So relatable. I'm going to make my parents watch this. And wow Fawad Khan is much more than just a pretty face! Sigh... :D

      Delete
    3. Glad you enjoyed. Alia's role wasn't etched properly but she was a breath of fresh air.

      Delete
  15. Aha!! Love it when you say, Judge me!! I am someone who loves what they call brainless movies designed to entertain but guess Kapoor...is more about that. It seems to be a relatable movie like DDD and PIKU. I have a wrong opinion about Fawad who I think was horrible acting wise in his last outing but will wait this one to change my opinion like my new found love for Sonam post Neerja. I like Rishi Sir prosthetic, though. A lovely review.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hmmm very interesting.. I think I will give it a go for sure :)


    Bikram's

    ReplyDelete