After winning acclaim for serious films like Mirch Masala & Zubeida, Shyam Benegal has changed stance for a while it seems. Welcome to Sajjanpur, his previous project was a story that traveled through more than one sub-plot touching issues like widow re-marriage; superstitions and others of social pertinence.
Keeping humour as a common thread, "Well done, Abba" also is treated in more or less similar manner. This story though set in the rural backdrop, begs to differ in matters of culture in which it is woven. The director has portrayed rural Hyderabad quintessentially with language and temperament. The entire concept of theft of some immovable property brings out satire necessary for the effect. Ridiculing the redtapism, the film provides clean entertainment to its viewers. It also champions the cause of female literacy and sensitive audience can judge that educated women are indeed a force to reckon with.
Barring a single exception of Ravi Kishen, no other actor is repeated from the previous team of Welcome to Sajjanpur. Boman Irani as Abba is remarkable. He is easy and convincing and has indeed justified the character he plays. Minisha Lamba seems to be a director's artist, which means if she gets good direction, she performs far better. She has shouldered her role aptly under able direction of Shyam Benegal. Sameer Dattani has already shown his spark with films like "Mukhbir" and this film reinstates it. Ela Arun, seen after long time behooves her character.
What disappoints is that Sonali Kulkarni is wasted terribly. The entire plot assigned to Ravi Kishen and Sonali seems useless due to, first of all, being out of place and, more so often than necessary. It does not meaningfully contribute to the movie at large.
All said and done, it feels nice that some film makers are still abiding to making films of social relevance.
Author: Snehal Khandkar
All said and done, it feels nice that some film makers are still abiding to making films of social relevance.
Author: Snehal Khandkar
