English Vinglish

Movie: English Vinglish

Starcast: Sridevi, Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou

Director: Gauri Shinde

Vinglish English,  reversible is V for 'veritable' and E for 'entertainment'- a connoisseur's delight, like the much acclaimed 'Laddoos' dished out by 'Shashi', so effortlessly in the movie. It is a classic social comedy  rebutting the popular perception of  "ghar ki murgee - dal barabar".

 The storyline, diction, direction, dialogues, histrionics, and settings in the backdrop of fast paced American life with Indian brakes are perfect to the 'T'. The cast could not have been better.

The easy narration evolves around the travails of an Indian housewife, marginalised by her nearest and dearest, and the butt of more jibes than jokes in the context of multilingual constraints.

The resolve and determination of the lady to correct the perspective, more out of a need  for  personal convenience, turns out to be  societal credential. She neither compromises her culinary passions nor transgresses the social moorings in doing so.

 The lively  portrayal of 'Shashi' by, no less a veteran thespian than the irrepressible Sridevi  is magnificent, almost true to life. The visible streaks of maturity in her face has romanticised the effect. 

The subtle message that a woman with some passion and a lot of determination can redeem her status in the family, in a highly dignified manner and the family members must learn to respect the implicit latent talent of the lady of the house,which can surface at opportune times, is driven home effectively. Kudos to all concerned in making such a nice movie out of a routine, yet ignored chore in the family set up. Recommended for viewing the movie by all in a 'theatre' to enjoy the impacting punch.