My wife came away misty-eyed remembering her days as a young journalist on a house hunt in Kolkata and its incumbent inconveniences and I couldn’t but reflect on how my own life has panned out thus far. My kids instantly identified with both Siddharth — a name they connected to — and Sid, a character they are convinced is real.
My compliments to its makers for giving us a convincing story. Easily, they could have gone over the top and created an eminently forgettable, run-of-the-mill din. Moderation makes this flick click.
The principal character, for instance, is carefree and does not have a bother in the world. By his admission, he specialises in blowing his father’s cash. He lazes around, whiles away hours between a reclining chair and a cushy bed, sets a midnight alarm and does nothing when it goes off, gives a sad account of himself in examinations and can’t make head or tail of accountancy.
Yet, there is something lovable about him, he isn’t a junkie, is not shown doing drugs, doesn’t light up at the drop of a hat, screams at his parents — mother in particular — but is still deferential. Shuts up when his father asks him to and stomps out of home.
His relationship with the other lead actor (Konkona Sen Sharma) is realistic. He moves in with her, describes her as a friend, sleeps in a bag beside her. But there is no sexual overture from either party. There are real people like Sid and Aisha who share, learn from each other and hold one another’s hands.
The film has an absolutely lovable girl, who agonises over her ever growing girth and uses her daily battle of the bulge to drive home a point. Sid fails in his exams and is distraught, wallowing in self pity. She silences Sid telling him of her daily conflict which she routinely keeps losing. Yet, she keeps at it. Those of us who have an issue with unwanted adipose will find this very believable.
Anupam Kher essays a cameo with his understated acting. A father who isn’t terribly loud with what he feels of his good-for-nothing son, but in his subliminal way tries to make a responsible creature of him. Even when he has an angry exchange with his lazy ward, he isn’t theatrical.
Konkona Sen Sharma is known to be a class actor, but Ranbir Kapoor is a revelation. He gets under the skin of the character, first portraying a Sid who is irresponsible, a baby-faced monster forever littering and griping constantly being reminded by circumstances that life isn’t necessarily fun. He is forced to hunt an identity of his own.
As he becomes a man and his tenor changes, the new Sid is visible different. There is mature resolve in his voice. Yet, there isn’t any machismo. He remains chocolate faced, but his eyes are sensitive and caring. He cooks and washes for his housemate, learns what to do with eggs and puts an end to his clumsy, gross life. The writer skillfully creates situations to dictate his storyboard. The film ends poignantly with Sid and Aisha in a clasp in driving Mumbai rain. It doesn’t drag beyond that.
In this day and age of overstatements, it subtly stands out.
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