Recently India became the most populated country in the world. 20% of total world population is from India. Since India is a developing country and given the population explosion there has to be a housing crunch. Most the rural population lives in modest houses and barring people from metro and big cities, the middle caste population strives for better accommodation. The government keeps doing it’s bit by offering low cost housing to the economically and otherwise backward classes but that is not enough. Quite a few Indians take advantage of the government schemes by tweaking the rules. Laxman Utekar brings to you a family entertainer which addresses issues surrounding government housing schemes. It’s a reasonably entertaining film with super performances from it’s lead cast #VickyKaushal and #SaraAliKhan.
Saumya Chawla Dube (Sara Ali Khan) who teaches in a coaching class in Indore is married to a penny-pinching Kapil Dube (Vicky Kaushal) who runs Yoga classes. They stay in a joint family and have to sleep in drawing room due to ill health of Kapil’s Mami. To enjoy private moments they have to visit a lodge as most of the time Kapil’s nephew sleeps between them. Tired of lack of privacy Saumya decides to have a new house and Kapil too supports his decision. Failing to acquire a flat in a private society due to budget constraints they stumble upon a person who promises them a house under government housing scheme. And for that they, Saumya and Kapil, have to get divorced. Both of them go ahead with the divorce keeping both the families in bewilderment. What transpires next and in between forms the crux of the story.
The story is relatable as plenty of middle and lower middle class people face the similar problem. The loopholes shown can help the government organisations to be wary of the agents and people taking disadvantage of the schemes. The screenplay is well written and the dialogues are good too. But it has been presented in a little over the top fashion. Quite a number of times the couple discusses or quarrels in the midst of road when they know well that they are acquiring the flat by dubious means. The small city vibe helps the narration and the family members add authenticity to the plot. The cinematography (Raghav Ramadoss) is good which captures the essence of Indore and the music (Sachin Jigar) is above average. Melodious Phir Aur Kya Chahiye stands out. The director narrates the proceedings with a touch of humour so that the film doesn’t get heavy. Also these days a ‘Kiss’ is mandatory in most of the Hindi commercial films but Utker keeps his lead pair away from it. Sara Ali Khan has performed beautifully and she has been progressing with each film passing by. She looks beautiful without being glamorous and brings sweetness to the scenes. Vicky Kaushal is good too though he looks a little over the top, but maybe that is the requirement of the movie. He earns brownie points in the last lecture cum confession representing the plight of the common man. Both Vicky and Sara look good on screen and their chemistry is marvellous. The supporting cast, including Neeraj Sood and Kanupirya Pandit as mama and mami, Inaamulhaq (agent) Rakesh Bedi as Saumya’s father, and Akash Khurana as Kapil’s father deliver fine performances helping the narrative.
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is a reasonable family entertainer and definitely a one time watch.
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