Helicopter Eela, Movie Review: Overbearing Mother And Suffocated Son, But Easy On The Eye And Mind
Helicopter Eela is all about 'me time' and 'my space'. Kajol and Riddhi Sen have been cast perfectly. See it
My mother brought me up single-handedly, making sure at all stages until frailty enveloped her, that I don't goof up. Sometimes, she picked up the phone to infuse her inputs and sometimes she even turned up in person to ensure that I don't do anything silly- like the day of my SSC result- when she entered my school right up to the outside to check that I don't lose my composure if I score below expectations. Did I get annoyed, err, exasperated, like Riddhi Sen does when Kajol becomes that shadow in his life which refuses to leave him even when it is dark? Yes, I did. And like me, most of you will identify many points in the film as a part of your growing up years if and when your set of parents or either of them became over-indulgent.
Kajol From Her Movie Helicopter Eela
Kajol does a fab job. She has always been a fab actress and you don't need a fab brain to understand that. Riddhi impresses equally if not more, it's not easy to stand up to Kajol in so many frames; his surprise, exasperation and acceptance- three tough emotions to portray- froth up often in one frame without he having to raise a sweat. Helicopter Eela (my elder son called my wife Eela and not Mom/Mummy/Maa until he was 7, but that's a coincidence and a different story) is not one of those from the Devgn stable which left you in a 'I care a damn' state. If you are a parent, you will definitely identify with the relationship dynamics of this mother-son duo.
Still From Helicopter Eela
Watch Mummy Dearest begging her son to return home. Watch Mummy Dearest giving attitude to Neha Dhupia when approached to join the theatre group. Watch Mummy Dearest when she asks her darling son if he really needs his father in his life again. Plus she looks beautiful throughout the movie, it's just that the excessive make up in the climax scene, wherein she tells the students that she's backing out from the skit, could have been avoided. And, your heart bleeds for Riddhi- when his life becomes claustrophobic; not taking away anything from this boy but that's largely because of Kajol's acting prowess.
Helicopter Eela is unarguably slow in the first half and practically nothing happens till the interval, but the second half compensates well to infuse lots of soul. Eela's husband's disappearing act is quite unconvincing but thanks to his return, the mother-son duo resolve their differences.
The Kaun Banega Crorepati scene featuring Bachchan Sr is the highlight of the film. And don't you miss Amitabh Bachchan, Mahesh Bhatt and Anu Malik!
Amit Trivedi and Raghav Sachar do a nice job with most tunes, but there was room for improvisation no doubt.
You don't need to rush for this one using a helicopter. When home-made sandwiches are not allowed to be taken inside despite the state government's proposal and permission, how will you justify a helicopter in an around a plex? But do take the ride. I am going with THREE-and-HALF.
Image Source: youtube/#HelicopterEela#AjayDevgn#Kajol
