Director : Ravi Udyawar
Music : A.R. Rahman
Lyrics :  Irshad Kamil
Starring : Sridevi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Akshaye Khanna, Abhimanyu Singh and Sushant SinghDirector : Ravi Udyawar Music : A.R. Rahman Lyrics :  Irshad Kamil Starring : Sridevi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Akshaye Khanna, Abhimanyu Singh and Sushant Singh

Sridevi – the undisputed matinee idol strikes back but this time with a subtle vengeance that’s amazingly deadly, incredibly effortless and seamlessly magical in her 300th film of her illustriously glorious 50-years- old career.

It takes sheer brilliance from the first time director Ravi Udyawar and the unmatched talent of an actress like Sridevi to turn a tried, tested and beaten to death plot into an intense, hard – hitting and emotionally charging drama. MOM will serve as a hallmark in mainstream cinema based on rape and revenge.

Girish Kohli’s script shares the basic idea of its premise with the recent grossly misfired MAATR starring Raveena Tandon in lead and/or the vintage 80’s classic INSAF KA TARAZU by B.R. Chopra based on the same subject.Sridevi – the undisputed matinee idol strikes back but this time with a subtle vengeance that’s amazingly deadly, incredibly effortless and seamlessly magical in her 300th film of her illustriously glorious 50-years- old career. It takes sheer brilliance from the first time director Ravi Udyawar and the unmatched talent of an actress like Sridevi to turn a tried, tested and beaten to death plot into an intense, hard – hitting and emotionally charging drama. MOM will serve as a hallmark in mainstream cinema based on rape and revenge. Girish Kohli’s script shares the basic idea of its premise with the recent grossly misfired MAATR starring Raveena Tandon in lead and/or the vintage 80’s classic INSAF KA TARAZU by B.R. Chopra based on the same subject.

Peace and sanctity of the Sabarwal’s get disturbed when a Saturday night party turns into a horrific nightmare for Arya (Sajal Ali) and her parents – step mom Devki (Sridevi) a biology teacher and businessman Anand (Adnan Siddiqui). The four culprits led by Vikas Verma who plays the rich spoilt Delhi brat, his car driver – Jagan (Abhimanyu Singh), security guy Baburam (Pitobash) and Arya’s class mate.

Lack of evidence that exposes the loopholes of our judiciary system and the vulnerability of the capital city when it comes to women safety as all the four accused go scot – free. A hard hitting line by Sridevi explains the trauma and helplessness when her husband and father of Arya on hearing the shocking court verdict slaps one of the accused and lands up in jail. She says, ”Rapist ko thapad marne walo ko jail hoti hai, rapist ko nahi’. Devki is now furious. Crime branch officer Francis (Akshaye Khanna) who arrested the culprits is shocked and a mysteriously quirky detective DK (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is keen to help Devki. What will happen next?

Being an escapist cinema made to encash on the hard hitting and disturbing reality, Ravi Udyawar’s MOM takes the obvious route but the way Devki replies stands out as the helmer successfully makes the audience follow each and every move of Devki like her obedient shadow. The brilliant use of symbolism in one of movie’s most important scene creates a lasting impact.

Revealing more will make us guilty of turning into spoilers but MOM will be incomplete without the mention of its support cast that gives terrific support.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui stands out and gives the comic relief. Akshaye Khanna is excellent. Adnan Siddiqui as the father is perfect. Sajal Ali is outstandingly gifted talent. Her resemblance with the teenage Kareena Kapoor is striking. The baddies -Abhimanyu Singh, Pitobash and Vikas Verma are fantastic.

A R Rahman’s background score in one word is just superb, its adds to the chills and Anay Goswamy’s camera is probing. Production values are top notch while editing by Monisha R Baldawa is crisp.

Finally, Sridevi as Devki in this relevant, hard – hitting and moving thriller is a proof why she is a diva, a topper in the institute of versatility. We all wondered what she will do next after the marvelous comeback with ENGLISH VINGLISH after a fifteen year old hiatus. Joy, aghast, shock, grief, anger, pain she elegantly swims along the sea of emotions with such a rare expertise that is now unbeatable for today’s actresses. From a child wonder to the Queen of the box office during the nineties, Sridevi is in top form in MOM and delivers a knock out performance that is entitled to top awards this year.

Those who have entered now in the world of entertainment may be unaware of the impact Sridevi has on people, be it male, female or any other sex, director Ravi Udyawar seems to be aware of this and has made a good use of eunuchs in this film.

Yes there are times when we feel the consistency is slowing a bit but Sridevi’s towering performance overcomes the flaws and makes you feel for her character.

MOM is an important film for three reasons. 1) – Its testimony that Sridevi is one of the most accomplished actresses alive, 2) Ravi Udyawar is a filmmaker to look out for and last but not the least – it’s a salute to motherhood and womanhood.

Go take your Moms and daughters along.

 

(source: glamsham)