The first reaction when the movie was over was that perhaps Jackie Shroff had finally arrived to get himself a Best Actor award. Neena Gupta, just one step behind him. And yes, Rakhi Sawant can act and many directors should take notice of her performance, and so should social media.

That’s about the basic nutshell.

Now, the film is about old age, solitude, pyar at budhapa, the near-criminal private money lenders and their associated bullying - all of this set in a wholesome Mumbai ecosystem, with the cops still playing out their Ganpat Havildar image. In between the plot of a widower who follows a strict regime but is lonely, and a Mummy who has been eased out by her son and DiL from Canada (Canna-da) and is trying to resettle herself, is a petty thief who is a tailor and a bum. In this parallel plot he falls in love with a street walker and they keep adding the supporting masala to the geriatric goings-on.

The vintage Neena Gupta and Jackie Shroff, the serious and not-so-social-media spicy Sawant, backed up by Abhishek Chauhan - “a distinguished actor and theatre artist hailing from Uttarakhand, showcases a varied skill set and unwavering dedication to his craft…” [imdb.com] and Monica Panwar, another Garwhali who is also making her mark, rustle up performances which are at once endearing and a perfect recipe for a “what to see” slot in the evening. 

Director Vijay Maurya, a graduate of the Satyadev Dubey school of theatre and Prithvi Theatre is himself an accomplished scriptwriter and has used his skills and talent to direct a film extremely fresh in its approach and treatment. Neena Gupta’s “Hum Dilli ke hain!” background may have been a boon for her, but to see an emotional Jackie, whom we are used to seeing as the everyday foul-mouthed vagrant crook, this was, and will perhaps be a performance to remember.

Abhishek dumps his ‘good looks’ and perfectly embodies himself with the character of Madahosh, while Monica sheds her ‘ramp-walking’ sophistication by rubbing black paint to live the role of Rani. She still looks so good!

In a time where we are full of Jawan, Pathan, and Animal, the simple joys of the old world tell us Mast Mein Rehne Ka.

Bilkul!

Full movie streaming now on Amazon Prime.