Movie Name: Sharmajee
Namkeen
Director: Hitesh
Bhatia
Actors: Late Rishi
Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Juhi Chawla, Sheeba Chaddha, Satish Kaushik
Ratings: 4.0/5 stars
Story
Sharmaji (Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal) is 58 years old.
Lives in Delhi. The wife has passed away. And is retired. Sharmaji now needs
some purpose in life. Have to keep himself busy. There is also a single father.
It is decided that Sharmaji will fulfil his suppressed wish. I have a passion
for cooking, now I will fulfil it. But will his young son like it all? The way
Sharmaji is changing because of this old hobby and new dream, will his son
accept it? The film takes this story forward in a funny way.
Review
'Either be busy or be busy and die'. Routine life has always
been underestimated. Whereas sometimes when it seems that there is nothing left
to do, it is the routine job and work that drives your life forward. Irfan's
character Saajan in 'The Lunchbox' will be remembered, he will also remember
his words that life goes on. Days gradually become months and months gradually
turn into years, as he continues to do his 9 to 5 duty with full gusto. It is
the routine that drives you forward. Sharmaji's job in Home Appliances was also
similar. Kept them busy. Sometimes being busy is the most important thing in
life. But what now after retirement?
Sharmaji loves to cook. Due to this love of WhatsApp group
and cooking, he meets a kitty gang consisting of women. Juhi Chawla is the
leader of this gang. In this gossip gang of women about the society, Sharmaji's
mind starts to fall. They feel a kind of happiness and consolation. These women
belong to the ruling class of the society, but there is a desolation in their
life as well. Director Hitesh Bhatia gives us a taste of life through a very
simple and effortless story. With increasing age and the stereotypes about men
and women, they hurt them lightly in such a way that you are compelled to
think.
Be it 'The Intern' by Robert De Niro and Nancy Meyers or
'Piku' by Shoojit Sircar, you can take exceptions here. Because often children
who have grown up after a stage of age do not understand the feelings of their
elderly and troubled parents. Those favors turn away. Whereas parents are the
biggest symbol of sacrifice and sacrifice in real life. Life sometimes becomes
one sided too. 'Sharmaji Namkeen' talks about loving yourself, loneliness and
the meaning of being a single father. The film cleverly gives a new dimension
to thinking differently from the 'Baghban' narrative.
There is no villain here. Sometimes you yourself are the cause of the problem and its solution. In the past, there are many such burdens, which a person carries on his back throughout his life. Hitesh Bhatia's hero does not sink into self-pity. He is kind, but not under pressure. He is cool, both as a father and as a human being. But he never compromises on his self-respect. The characters in the film are such that you connect with them. They can remind you of a member of your household or someone in your neighbourhood.
The film features the quintessential street foods of Delhi
(Aloo Tikki Chaat, Dahi Bhalle). The film is entertainment. Laughs and at the
same time increases your enthusiasm. This film neither bores you nor does it
feel like preaching at any point of time. Hitesh should be praised in the sense
that he has not shown him as a loser or a victim to connect the audience with
his middle-aged hero. Like Shakun Batra, Hitesh Bhatia also takes a child and
his parent’s dynamics in a new way. Although there are some flaws in it, but
this is also the biggest attraction of this film. The film tells that even
though there may be differences between the members of the family, but it does
not leave the company.
'Sharmaji Namkeen' is Rishi Kapoor's last film. It was
released after his death. Believe me, no one can be better than him in the
character of Sharmaji. You can imagine how easy this film will be for Rishi
Sahab, who loves his family and food in real life too. There is always an
honesty in Rishi Kapoor's characters. As if that character is his soul. Rishi
Kapoor was cool in real life too. Be it as The Great Raj Kapoor and son or as
Ranbir Kapoor's father, Rishi Kapoor has always shown a dash of courage. 'Sharmaji
Namkeen' can be counted among the best films of Rishi Kapoor. He is awesome. It
is hard to believe even for a moment, the one who is making us laugh on screen
is no more in this world.
'Sharmaji Namkeen' is the first film in India in which two
actors have played the same character. Rishi Kapoor's health had started
deteriorating. He later passed away. The film was incomplete. Hitesh Bhatia
chose another veteran of the industry, Paresh Rawal. Interestingly, Paresh
Rawal did not copy Rishi Kapoor's character of Sharmaji. Rather, he has played
it in his own style. But this film is entirely of Rishi Kapoor. His smile on
screen brings tears to your eyes.
Our Indian parents generally give the highest priority to
their children. But what if things turn around? What will happen when he starts
thinking of himself more than the children? Will decide for himself. Will this self-love
make them selfish? 'Sharmaji Namkeen' gives you a chance to think about it all.