Review of #KapoorAndSons

#KapoorAndSons Since(1921), is a film about family bonding. It is not about a perfect family but it is about a real family where you can identify with each character. Where there is love between family members as well as there is jealousy, doubt, betrayal, differences too but still they are bonded with each other in the time of need. Director Shakun Batra who had made a confident directorial debut with #EkMainAurEkTu has given yet another mainstream commercial film with a different touch.

It is a story set in a small town near Bangalore where Kapoor family lives. The head of the

family is the grandfather who is fondly called as Dadu(Rishi kapoor). Dadu is an interesting character who enjoys porns and joints at the age of 90. He is accompanied by his son Harsha (Rajat Kapoor) and daughter-in-law Shalini (Ratna Pathak Shah). Harsh and Shalini are middle aged couple who are not in a good relationship , they have fights on every day on different issues like money , Harsh’s exytra marital affairs or Shalini’s ambition to be an entrepreneur. They have two sons, elder one is Rahul (Fawad Khan), successful novelist who lives in London. The younger son is Arjun (Siddharth Malhotra) who is a part time bar tender in Newjersy and an aspiring writer. The two brother have cold vibes too based on some issues from their past. This whole family comes together following a heart attack of Dadu. Once they came together lots of secrets came out from their past which lead them to even worse relationship. But at the end they realise no family is perfect but still you need to be there with your family member in their need. Every family member has a responsibility to complement each other.

The story may not sound oven fresh but the screenplay penned by Ayesha Devitre , Shakun Batra is definitely refreshing. Every situation looks real and the reaction of the characters

too. From the beginning there is a hint of tension in the family but that never makes it monotonous because of the regular dose of lighter scenes at regular interval. Also there are secrets which have been revealed towards the end in a perfect timing. The age old Bollywood drama is there but the situations are very new not the tried and tasted clichés. For example when was the last time you have seen a pervert 90 year old grandfather or when you have seen a romantic date in a graveyard? Even the so called love triangle where two brothers are involved with one girl that too has a refreshing end, you have to watch the movie for that. The dialogues are well written and it gives ample scope for comedy as well as it is good enough to create the melodrama towards the end.

As a director Shakun Batra has proved his calibre once again. There is no doubt he is one the finest directors among the directors whom Karan Johar has launched under his production house. Shakun Batra knows how to get the best from his cast and crew that too without being showy or flashy like some other Dharma movies. He never lost the realistic touch yet his movie never compromises with entertainment quotient.

This movie has six main characters and it must be said all are very well cast and all have

done superb job. Rishi Kapoor is excellent with his wonderful makeup. At this age he is doing quite well with experimental characters. One will simply fall in love with this cute as well as wild Dadu. His scene where he sends a video message to his grandsons will surely bring tears in your eyes. Rajat Kapoor and Ratna Pathak Shah are veterans and they have complemented each other really well as middle aged always fighting couple. There are some really loud moments in their fight scenes but still these two actors have managed to make those scenes not too dramatic. Watch these couple in a romantic moment where Rajat Kapoor sings an old Manoj Kumar Song for Ratna Pathak Shah, both of them are superb in that scene.

Among the youngsters it is Fawad Khan who has stolen the show as the Elder brother who is mature and sensible guy with a secret. At the climax you will know it takes guts to do such a role and hardly any regular Bollywood hero would have shown that courage to do such a

character. He is completely at ease in every scene whether it is his emotional scene with his on screen mother or the fun moments with his younger brother and friends. Siddharth Malhotra is good and managed quite well to stand out in the ensemble cast full of talented actors. Though there is scope for improvement in his performance but still he is likable. Alia Bhatt is not the conventional leading lady here rather she is just a part of the big ensemble still she has impressed in her short screen time. She acts like fresh oxygen in between heavy dramatic moments. She is just perfect for the character of a bindaas bubbly girl. You will definitely love her as the “Ladki Beautiful kar Gayee Chul”.  Every time she comes on screen she will bring smile to your face. She has one emotional scene towards the end where she is fabulous. She has a perfect chemistry with both of her male leads.

The technical team has done good job. Editing by Shivkumar V. Panicker is perfect. The cinematography looks fine. One should praise the costume designers not only for making the young leads look fashionable but also for making the costume for the supporting cast very realistic.

There is not much scope for songs here mainly because the romantic track has limited screen time. Still the songs go well with the script. Also there is the chartbuster “Ladki Beautiful” which is already a big hit.

Overall #KapoorAndSons is a very well made film about family bonding. There are fun as well as emotion and it will give you solid entertainment with some superb performances by the whole cast. You should watch it at least once.