For once I actually saw a hindi movie that surprised me, in a good way of course. I wasn’t exactly expecting the best when I saw abhishek bachchan’s name on the credits along with a battalion of very well known character actors and a new entrant Hrishita Bhatt. But ’Shararat’ was a very pleasant experience that left me feeling nice and warm inside.
Abhishek plays Rahul, a spoilt, rich braggart who thinks no end of himself and prides himself on his reckless behaviour. Right at the beginning he gets into a tight spot where the only way out is punishment and what a sentence it is. He is banished to an old people’s home where he is to assist the elderly residents for a whole month so he could learn some manners and etiquette from people who know it best. The story is primarily rahul’s transformation from a reckless, ill-mannered youngster to a sensitive, compassionate person who realises that in life what you reap you shall always sow. Thats all you need to know about what the tale is all about because ’Shararat’ is a movie that needs to be viewed to be appreciated.
Sure, it lacks the glitzy, glamourous, hi-tech effect of other movies that were released this year. But it makes up for it all with its simple, down to earth uniqueness.
I must say Abhishek Bachchan has proved that he is capable of acting in an intelligent film and carrying it well on his shoulders. Of course he couldn’t have done it without the assistance of the ensemble cast of character actors like Amrish Puri, Helen, A.K Hangal, the Khote siblings Viju and Shobha, etc. Even Hrishita Bhatt, after her small yet significant role in ’Asoka’ has delivered a good performance as the journalist who comes to report Rahul’s progress and eventually falls in love with him.
The songs are passable, definitely not the film’s strong point except maybe for ’Ek Ladki Mujhe’.
On the whole I found that this was a wonderful movie to view with the whole family because it was a story that touched your heart.I think it was a concept very few have dabbled with but a subject so relevant to this day and age.And Bollywood could do with movies that not just entertain in a wholesome way but also bring out a message to people who need it.
I give ’Shararat’ a 8 out of ten in my rating books. What about you?