Film: Super Nani

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Director: Indra Kumar

Cast: Rekha, Randhir Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Shweta Kumar

Rating: *1/2

In an era where films like Queen, Mardaani and Mary Kom are the epitome of women empowerment, comes a women-centric film which is way behind it’s time. And we say so not just because the story line is straight out of the 80’s, but because Super Nani is full of clichés and lacks refreshing treatment of a done to death subject.

What’s it about: Sharman Joshi plays Mann, an NRI filmmaker settled in New York, who returns to India to make a documentary on Indian heritage. He pays visit to his Nani’s home, who is very dear to him. Nani played by Rekha, is a typical devoted, god fearing, housewife who has no say in the house and is just expected to handle the kitchen. Mann is deeply saddened by seeing his Nani’s plight and decides to transform her image. With Mann’s constant encouragement, his Nani turns into a model of great recognition and fame, much to the disbelief of her family. How does Nani teach a lesson to her husband and kids, and wins over their respect and love forms the rest of the story.

What’s good: Super Nani has some genuinely fun moments like the scene where Rekha plays fancy dress revisiting her olden days or the scene where an infuriated director yells at Rekha’s daughter in law who happens to be an aspiring actress. There a few dialogues which manage to make impact, even though they sound tad too melodramatic. Performances from Rekha and Sharman are not bad, nut on believes that the director has not utilised their potential to the fullest. Rekha proves that she has still got it in her to make a name for herself in today’s cinema amidst all the young generation actors. A special mention to Anupam Kher, who induces some genuine laughter with his quirky antics. The message which Super Nani tries to convey holds true as so many housewives in India are never given the respect that they deserve.

What’s bad: If we let go by the plot which is so 1980’s, it is the treatment of the cliché ridden story which disappoints the most. The film at times looks like a daily soap – both predictable and melodramatic, with loud manipulative background score. Randhir Kapoor hams his part and gives a laughable performance as orthodox husband who mistreats his wife. Most of the scenes in the film are unintentionally funny as one starts to enjoy the badly written and shabbily acted scenes. The romantic sub plot between Sharman Joshi and Shweta Kumar has no place in the story as it sticks out like sore thumb. The songs are snooze fest. Sharman’s NRI accent and broken Hindi is annoying for first few minutes, but a decent performance from the actor helps us to overlook it. We got to give some credit to the bai (maid), who is so loud that she can bring the roof down with her shrill voice, leaving the viewers rolling down the aisle.

What to do? Super Nani is a family film. But we do not recommend to watch Super Nani with your family. Instead go to the theatres with your friends and have a wonderful time laughing your heart out at corny dialogues and a ridiculously outdated plot.