🌟🌟🌟🚀 (3 out of 5 stars)
Well, hello there, fellow Bollywood masochists! It’s your girl, Review Rani, back again with a hot take on the latest Hindi cinema has to offer. This time, we’re strapping in for Sarfira, the Bollywood reincarnation of the Tamil film Soorarai Pottru (2020). It’s a cinematic reimagining of Captain Gopinath’s memoir, Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey. Now, hold onto your seats because this is going to be a bumpy ride!
The tale revolves around our main man, Vir Jagannath Mhatre (played by the evergreen Akshay Kumar). Vir has a dream, a dream that keeps him awake at night. He wants to start a low-cost airline, so every Tom, Dick, and Harish can take to the skies. But, as you can imagine, his lofty ambitions hit some turbulence when a few power-hungry baddies (because it wouldn’t be Bollywood without a villain) try to clip his wings before he can even taxi down the runway.
The opening scene has our hero and his sidekick almost causing an international incident at an airstrip, only to be bundled away by commandos. Director Sudha Kongara seems to be taking us on a rollercoaster ride right from the get-go. Our man Vir’s journey, from an Air Force pilot to an entrepreneur with more courage than sense, is woven together with a tapestry of challenges, personal and professional.
At his side is his fiercely independent wife, Rani (Radhika Madan), who isn’t just satisfied being the woman behind the man. She has dreams of her own, namely to start a bakery. She’s like a muffin in a world of chapatis. And let me tell you, the screen sizzles whenever these two share a scene. Rani is the buns to Vir’s burger, the icing on his cake. Their banter is as sweet as the pastries Rani bakes and the love they share, warmer than a freshly baked croissant.
Now, don’t get me wrong, fellow movie masochists. Sarfira isn’t just about a man with dreams reaching for the stars. It’s also a social commentary on the class divide, casteism, and patriarchy. Our man Vir isn’t just wanting to make air travel affordable for everyone; he’s also trying to break down caste barriers. Meanwhile, our villain Paresh Goswami (Paresh Rawal) is hell-bent on keeping the skies exclusive for the well-heeled.
Despite the compelling premise, the writers Sudha Kongara, Pooja Tolani, and Shalini Ushadevi stretch the narrative like a rubber band. The movie zips back and forth between timelines, like Vir’s plane in heavy turbulence. This narrative whiplash is as confusing as a Bollywood dance number in the middle of a serious scene. And let’s not forget the melodramatic music by GV Prakash Kumar that seems to be on a loop.
Akshay Kumar, in his typical ‘Khiladi’ style, steals the show. He oscillates between despair, frustration, and joy with the ease of a seasoned pilot. Radhika Madan holds her own as Rani, his partner in life and dreams. The rest of the cast, well, they’re just along for the ride.
Despite its lengthy runtime and sometimes confusing narrative, Sarfira manages to land safely, thanks to the performances of its lead cast.
Rani’s Wrap-Up
So, my fellow Bollywood masochists, Sarfira is one flight you might want to catch. Just be sure to pack some snacks, because it’s going to be a long journey! 🍿🎬🎭
