WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Respect and listen to your elders. How often have we heard these ideas shared when it comes to our acknowledgement of those who’ve lived much longer and experienced more than we have to date, but still we don’t heed their wisdom? What happens when this sad neglect leads to them making a choice to stand up and stand out, regardless of age, and make an unanticipated impact on a society in need of a specific awakening? Eighty year old actress Mehrunisa (Farrukh Jaffar) has just had a major loss occur. Yet, by her sometimes flagrant obstinance, one would never know she’s felt anything. Tired of being under the “orders” of her daughter Yasmine (Tulika Banerjee) who seems to only see her as a wholly loved but stubborn burden, Mehrunisa discovers an outlet to freedom through her equally strong-willed granddaughter Aliya (Ankita Dubey), creating a journey that will bring both of them unique opportunities, familial healing, and a chance to make an impactful difference for themselves, but also for a nation.
Next, my Mind:
Buoyed brilliantly by an intelligently contrived, wonderfully written blend of playful humor, fully dramatic weight, and a highly influential message at its core, this 90-minute indie feature film from writer/director/producer Sandeep Kumar carries its intent with beautifully executed flare and elegance throughout its runtime, maintaining the viewers attention and wholehearted engagement, perfectly delivering both entertainment and relevant lessons that make us realize and consider the true validity of what it is to never let anyone hold you down or back from striving to be who you are while leaving an enduring legacy. Basking in its NYC Premier (AND ending up winning Best Feature Film!) at the 2021 NYC South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA and hosted by Festival Director/Jingo Media Founder Jitin Hingorani and Artistic Director Ambica Dev, the film leaves no doubt about its purpose to illustrate one woman’s ultimate goal to defy a patriarchal industry and redefine the equality and importance of women in the tapestry of society.
The narrative is skillfully presented to convey its tale of often comically cantankerous Mehrunisa as she navigates the obstacles she feels are in the way of continuing to exist beyond the conventions of her age and the subsequent doors that come about to see this occur. Thematic explorations of sustaining family values and history, the fervent cherishing of memories, fighting for one’s just rights, silencing the skeptics, and overcoming any number of additional challenges abound to degrees that aid in allowing the story to come across with complete realism, relatability, and resonance, which are always hallmarks independent cinema thrives on and implements with confidence, artistic acumen, and expressively impactful manner. What this critic loved about this effort on top of those attributes was the showcasing of the initially strained then slowly building relationship gained between Mehrunisa and Aliya, which so stirringly develops into a newfound avenue of mutual learning, inspired growth, necessary change, and desired dreams taking shape.
Likewise, the equally dynamic approach to how an initially single-minded Yasmine’s life is so extremely altered by the events which, at first, seem to be taking her daughter and mother away from her, is examined and illustrated to excellent levels as well, bringing about a moving transformation that adds another layer of both tension then release to the narrative’s destination. By the film’s final act, a culmination of all we’ve seen these characters confront comes about in such a magnificently exceptional way that reinforces both the social awareness facets the film offers while also just making you want to stand up and cheer out of sheer elation and enjoyment of everything that’s transpired. This critic has so many a time stated that South Asian cinema is brimming with this stylistic methodology that combines pleasant diversion with focused concepts of societal/cultural significance, not to be preachy, but to just provide enough to make one contemplate and assess. This film carries multiple, strongly dispensed but truthful messages within its fun and drama.
Two other aspects I personally laud about the project is that it so encourages the notions of never being too old to live and that dreams are always valid to pursue, even if you sometimes might have to go against the flow to see them achieved. This is especially projected through Mehrunisa and Aliya, the two having their own objectives while then having a mutually shared one that so metamorphizes their paths. To a different proportion, Yasmine sees the rediscovering of long-past aspirations that resurface bit by bit throughout the story, becoming its own little side note amidst the grander themes. Jaffar (who deservedly won the Best Actress award!) is a consummate picture of utterly engaging acting who, even with only 15 credits to her name, comes across with a much more seasoned veteran’s prowess and talent through her role as Mehrunisa, a aged woman who should be in a state of mourning but instead tends to be a hilariously (for the viewer!) consistent pain in the butt to her family even in the wake of a recent loss.
Fed up with what everyone else expects or tries to advise her to be, Mehrunisa makes every effort to swim against that current and establish her ongoing goals in life, which come to pass, but perhaps in slightly varying form than anticipated. Capturing the attention of both the film community and her granddaughter Aliya’s curiosity, the challenging knowledge and gleeful fun she ends up bestowing to her leads them both on an adventure to see their wishes come to life. Throughout, the infectiously exuberant, mischievous, resolute demeanor Jaffar brings to bear is undeniably lovable and fully captivating, a treat to absorb and enjoy. Dubey also presents a feisty, formidable, greatly engaging, yet also vulnerable portrait of young womanhood and spirited determination via her role here as Aliya, Mehrunisa’s granddaughter whose rebellious streak seems destined to potentially keep her from realizing her own fresh life’s goals.
But, upon forming an unforeseen bond with her grandmother, the entire trajectory of Aliya’s road shifts, becoming more and more centered on aiming for what she wants to be than ever before. Navigating a fluctuating relationship with her boyfriend Arjun and finding that the independence she desires might be more worthy to follow, what she gleans from spending time with Mehrunisa becomes the catalyst to make the necessary decisions and watch what unfolds from there. It’s a delightful performance Dubey puts forward thanks to her charismatic delivery and the believable, grounded fervor she exudes. Banerjee also shines through her role as Yasmine, Aliya’s mother and Mehrunisa’s daughter, who has so many reservations about both of their respective paths at first. As the foil to the plans the other two have, it really becomes an enlightening journey for Yasmine as her charges begin to pull farther and farther away into their own little world of possibilities, and its awesome to see how it all pans out for Yasmine ultimately.
Banerjee makes her way through the performance with beautiful grace and intensity that befits the character’s intent and key purposes in the story. Supporting characters are many, including Mukesh and Arav, casting representatives looking to utilize Mehrunisa’s name and former fame to their advantage, Dhanraj, a realtor vying to sell the family’s expansive mansion (MUCH to Mehrunisa’s displeasure!), Arjun (Hussain Saddam), Aliya’s long-distance boyfriend whom may or not really be her destiny, and Amina, Mehrunisa’s house aide among others. I was not able to gain most of these actor’s names at the time of writing this, so please just know you ARE seen and very much appreciated for your supporting contributions to this gem of a movie. In total, “Mehrunisa” is an affecting, bold, comical, necessary, substantial study in aging, heritage, lordism, conquering hesitations, and chasing dreams that is a must see effort to take in all it legitimately has to teach us while simply eliciting joy that you’re NEVER too old to shake the world.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
