Sharmaji Namkeen, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, is a popcorn entertainer that pulls at the heartstrings. In the character of a loving, doting single father of two grown up sons, both late actor Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal deliver an exceptional performance, and make you laugh, cry and be totally entertained, all in under two hours.
Both the actors are equally believeable as "Sharmaji" - an adorable sexageneraian with exceptional culinary skills, who takes to cooking to keep himself occupied after being forced to accept voluntary retirement, much to his chagrin. The film was initially slotted to be completed with Kapoor in and as the protagonist, but because of his untimely demise, this did not happen. That is when Rawal took over. The two actors flit seamlessly between the scenes, as if one just takes from the other and that is a treat to watch. Who would have ever thought that two different actors playing the same role would turn out to be so entertaining?
A retired manager from Madhuban Appliances, Brij Gopal Sharma aka Sharmaji finds life too boring and is constantly on the lookout for work that will keep him occupied. "Why do we retire at 58? I am all good, healthy in mind and body. Why should I be forced to stop working," he asks, clearly appalled by the idea of an idle life. And that is when, much against the wishes of his elder son Sandeep 'Rinku' Sharma (Suhail Nayyar) who nudges him to "enjoy retired life," Sharmaji enters a “kitty party circle” as a “specialist cook”.
A slice-of-life tale about aging parents and their complex and dynamic relationship with their grown-up kids, Sharmaji Namkeen, Amazon Prime Video's latest offering, also explores the many nuances of the post retirement life, and focuses on the crucial aspect of parents embracing the notion of self-love and autonomy while negotiating the so-called moralistic expectations that are continuously heaped on them by an ever-judgemental society. The entire cast is as believable as can get and the screenplay comes across as both, convincing and exciting.
Satish Kaushik as Sharmaji's friend, Chaddha from Delhi's Subhash Nagar, is as charming as ever when he encourages his friend to pursue his passion regardless of the "society's opinions or judgements.” It is then that Sharmaji turns into an endearing home chef who rustles up lip-smacking delicacies on demand for a group of kitty-partying women led by Juhi Chawla, enjoys a game of dumb charades with them and seamlessly becomes a part of their group.
The editing is so sharp and precise that at times one doesn't even realise the switch between the actors as they brilliantly blend into each other. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment, the makers had even thought of the use of prosthetics by Ranbir Kapoor as an alternative in order to finish the film. "But that was not a possibility. Then next option was to cast someone else: it’s been done before, but not in Hindi cinema. We had to find a really good actor… It’s not that Rishi Kapoor is in the first half and Paresh Rawal is in the second half; their scenes are mixed throughout the film, and you will see that they just become one," says Ranbir right at the start of the film.
Rating: 3/5
FIlm: Sharmaji Namkeen
Director : Hitesh Bhatia
Cast: Paresh Rawal, Rishi Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Juhi Chawla
Sharmaji Namkeen, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, is a popcorn entertainer that pulls at the heartstrings. In the character of a loving, doting single father of two grown up sons, both late actor Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal deliver an exceptional performance, and make you laugh, cry and be totally entertained, all in under two hours.
Both the actors are equally believeable as "Sharmaji" - an adorable sexageneraian with exceptional culinary skills, who takes to cooking to keep himself occupied after being forced to accept voluntary retirement, much to his chagrin. The film was initially slotted to be completed with Kapoor in and as the protagonist, but because of his untimely demise, this did not happen. That is when Rawal took over. The two actors flit seamlessly between the scenes, as if one just takes from the other and that is a treat to watch. Who would have ever thought that two different actors playing the same role would turn out to be so entertaining?
A retired manager from Madhuban Appliances, Brij Gopal Sharma aka Sharmaji finds life too boring and is constantly on the lookout for work that will keep him occupied. "Why do we retire at 58? I am all good, healthy in mind and body. Why should I be forced to stop working," he asks, clearly appalled by the idea of an idle life. And that is when, much against the wishes of his elder son Sandeep 'Rinku' Sharma (Suhail Nayyar) who nudges him to "enjoy retired life," Sharmaji enters a “kitty party circle” as a “specialist cook”.
A slice-of-life tale about aging parents and their complex and dynamic relationship with their grown-up kids, Sharmaji Namkeen, Amazon Prime Video's latest offering, also explores the many nuances of the post retirement life, and focuses on the crucial aspect of parents embracing the notion of self-love and autonomy while negotiating the so-called moralistic expectations that are continuously heaped on them by an ever-judgemental society. The entire cast is as believable as can get and the screenplay comes across as both, convincing and exciting.
Satish Kaushik as Sharmaji's friend, Chaddha from Delhi's Subhash Nagar, is as charming as ever when he encourages his friend to pursue his passion regardless of the "society's opinions or judgements.” It is then that Sharmaji turns into an endearing home chef who rustles up lip-smacking delicacies on demand for a group of kitty-partying women led by Juhi Chawla, enjoys a game of dumb charades with them and seamlessly becomes a part of their group.
The editing is so sharp and precise that at times one doesn't even realise the switch between the actors as they brilliantly blend into each other. Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment, the makers had even thought of the use of prosthetics by Ranbir Kapoor as an alternative in order to finish the film. "But that was not a possibility. Then next option was to cast someone else: it’s been done before, but not in Hindi cinema. We had to find a really good actor… It’s not that Rishi Kapoor is in the first half and Paresh Rawal is in the second half; their scenes are mixed throughout the film, and you will see that they just become one," says Ranbir right at the start of the film.
Rating: 3/5
FIlm: Sharmaji Namkeen
Director : Hitesh Bhatia
Cast: Paresh Rawal, Rishi Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Juhi Chawla
