This is the one almost everyone is raving about. Everyone from the kids in the apartment complex to your parents I am sure. And if you haven’t seen it yet then you have definitely missed something. As one of the lines in an advertisement stated, “Ä fitting tribute to the great Indian Middle Class”. Welcome to the Duggals – The man of the house – Santosh (Rishi Kapoor) is a high school teacher of Mathematics; The lady of the house – Kusum (Neetu Singh) who is a typical Delhi housewife; The elder daughter – Payal (Aditi Vasudev) who goes to the Kirodimal College and is forever depressed that she was born in what is probably the worst home in the planet; Sandeep (Archit Krishna) the younger son who is in school and is the smarter cookie of the entire lot. They stay in an atypical DDA flat where you have 1 Bedroom which is allocated to the mom & dad, a tiny kitchen, a dining / drawing room area where the children also sleep on a sofa cum bed and a single bathroom over which most people fight. There is also a utility area thrown in for good measure.
And then there is the infamous scooter. The manifestation of middle class India on 2 wheels. The most used mode of transportation– especially by those who were born in the mid 60s. The “Buland Bharat ki Buland Tasveer” as proudly proclaimed in the 80s by and organization which no longer produces these works of art as they are slowly making way for the box on 4 wheels. Thanks to the aspirations of the family of 4 and the introductions of the concept of Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs). The Duggal family is also facing the same predicament. However, Papa Duggal is quite clear, and rightfully so, that the most efficient method of transportation in this country is the 2 wheeler. And has a full fledged thesis to prove the same. But “Honi ko kaun taal sakta hai”? (who can prevent the inevitable).
Enter Santosh’s sister who is currently married and settled in Meerut. In atypical Delhi fashion she pushes the Duggals to attend her sister in law’s wedding. And there are some pre-conditions. They should be dressed in brand new clothes. And they should come by car and not by the 2 wheeler OR bus. “Izzat ka sawaal hai bhai” (Matter of pride). As luck would have it, the best efforts of the family come a cropper and they have no other choice but to borrow their neighbor, Farooqui’s car for the trip. On their return, the car gets inadvertently damaged. Not so polite words are exchanged again in atypical Delhi fashion and in a fit of rage Papa Duggal declares that within 15 days they will have a car of their own.
DDC is one of the best movies to date in this year. It captures the emotions of the Average Middle Class family in India better than most other movies to date. The continuous struggle that the father has to manage expectations of family. The frustration that sets into the children when their expectations are not met. How they would prefer travelling by bus instead of their father’s scooter. How they would move towards not so correct methods to make a fast buck and enjoy that much more than their family can afford. The pains that a father has to go through to bring to reality, a dream that his children have. And then there is the mother who holds it all together through thick and thin. The characterization of all these aspects is very well done to say the least.
The performances are stellar. Rishi Kapoor as we all know is a wonderful actor. Its in the blood. Neetu Singh for the first time on screen for a full role in a really long time, proves that actors mature with age. Not to mention that she looks absolutely gorgeous :P (loads of drool – stop it Kartik she is almost as old as your mother). Stand out performance by Aditi Vasudev. I hope we will be seeing a lot from her in the days to come. Archit Krishna as the street smart Sandeep is a little over the top and probably the only chink in the entire movie. And rounding it all off with the direction of Habib Faisal. His first directorial venture – 2010 has seen an amazing number of first time directors which is great news. His prior works included the writing for Ta Ra Rum Pum. Must say Habib has come a long way. Seems to be a natural @ direction. Very very compact movie with no unnecessary frills and fancies. Straight and to the point. Just the way it is done. I give this 7 on 10. Must must watch.
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