Kapoor and Sons - REVIEW

A life saving story, film and experience for anyone, especially me, who was brave enough to watch a Dharma Productions / Karan Johar film. They have risen to the challenge of the new era in our film industry, and how ! No romancing of foreign locations, no much romance actually, no sucking up to western lingo or lifestyles, no baby pink characters and no prince charming on white horses. A family drama yes, but a very modern and resonating one, Kapoor and Sons is everything about the new age and the present times. There are so many unusual things in this film but very real and provoking at the same time.  Shakun Batra weaves a wonderful story about a family with each member’s life intertwining with the other’s through relationships, bonding, and anger in the past, present and future. Parents who favor one child over the other, for living upto their imagined expectations, expectations that are impressionist, if not real. A bickering couple who have lost the love for each other, suffering every day. Human beings who do everything to showcase their perfection by deliberately pouncing on the vulnerable and the unusual. Though in reality their bigotry lurks in the shadows stinking through their actions and words. An old, almost dying man who knows the invaluable value of time, emotions, love and relationships. Indian born young people escaping to the modernized west and an individualistic life, to be who they really are, free from Indian prejudices and contradicting “morals” and “values”. Yet they cannot let go the strong bonding with their family and relationships. I am impressed by Fawad Khans performance. Having watched him in Who Humsafar series on ZIndagi, I had thought of him as an expressionless and passionless actor. However, he has proved me wrong with a brilliant and poignant performance through a very silent and impactful presence. It’s like how you are shaken up when people who never cry, suddenly start crying. Ratna Pathak’s performance matches Fawad Khan’s in the close mother-son relationship. Rishi Kapoor exhilarates with his larger than life exuberance and joi de vivre. Siddharth Malhotra can do better, however the confrontation scene with his mother gives us something to look forward to in his future performances. Alia, you need a bigger canvas. The first half of the film was a bit of a drag but the second half bounced back making it the best story of 2016 so far.