Tumhari Sulu

Lovely movie (atleast the first half was delightful)

Simple, meaningful and totally hilarious. I haven't laughed as much in a long time. Vidya Balan was impeccable in her acting, she so got into the skin of sulu...and heartstoppingly endearing.  That said, I'd say it sadly loses a nicely built tempo as it goes through the second half  ( too real life I guess :)

Story wise, it's about Sulu, short for sulochana, a happy, charming, fun loving woman, with a mischievous sense of humour and an irrepressible laugh and energy. It's a happy family, and everything's going good. Beneath the surface is a rumbling, a peaceful rumbling inside of Sulu who wants to do something with herself, beyond being 'just' a housewife.

While fairly predictable, the movie delivers in quality of texture and detail. The narrative on daily domesticity was brought out in commendable detail, be it chargers hanging around the house, clothes on the line, anger against one being shown on the other, minor irritants of regular life....mischief, love, pretense, control, care, insensitivity, sensitivity et al. 

The husband and wife share a wonderful relationship... an easy understanding, so much affection, the love between them palpable through the many small gestures, a bedroom banter that is so casually intimate, an ease and comfort with each other, wonderful space. The kind that makes you think...aah, that's how it ought to be.

And there's a sad let down as his ego and insecurity surfaces as she finds independence and success. 

As her popularity grows, the resentment back home builds. Father, husband, sisters, nobody seems to be able to handle it...... it's like anything going wrong is now blamed on her job. She can't handle the pressure. Between the lot, she gets guilt tripped, gives up her job, and because she's this sweet thing she does it with joy and no 'apparent' resentment.

Happy ending.

I thought the cast was near perfect, Manav Kaul as husband, the kid who had a decent enough role and did it to perfection. Beyond Vidya Balan, my favourite was Neha Dhupia. She was simply brilliant.

A definitely strong recommendation to watch.

Praveen, thanks for that "go watch, I'm sure you'll like it", you sure got that one right :)