Brilliant lead performance lights up film with unique storyline
Starring: Madhuri Dixit, Gajraj Rao, Ritwik Bhowmik, Rajit Kapur, Sheeba Chadha, Barkha Singh, Srishti Shrivastava Director: Anand Tiwari
THE huge success of game-changing 2018 movie Badhaai Ho has led Bollywood towards creating more interesting author-backed roles for older actresses and this new Amazon Prime release falls firmly within that bracket.
Madhuri Dixit plays Pallavi, the seemingly perfect housewife, who is devoted to her husband, two children and dancing. Her son falls in love with a girl from a deeply suspicious rich family, which demands to meet his parents. All is going well between the families, until a shocking video of Pallavi is played publicly and turns her whole life upside down, putting everything she cherishes into jeopardy.
This interesting departure from run-of-themill Bollywood stories has plenty to offer, largely thanks to the unique storyline and magnetic presence of lead star Madhuri Dixit. The freeflowing story filled with some unique surprises bravely ventures down a path that smashes the stereotypes surrounding mothers in Bollywood and is worth watching for that alone.
What prevents Maja Ma from reaching its undeniable potential is a screenplay that is unable to match up to the central premise. Instead of using that newly planted Hindi film seed to grow something substantial, with branches that head off in different directions, it kind of doesn’t know where to go. Poor direction and caricature-like supporting characters that aren’t welldefined do this film a disservice. Acclaimed actors Gajrao Rao and Rajit Kapur, in particular, are largely wasted.
What saves the film is a brilliant performance from Bollywood icon Dixit in the lead role, as she effortlessly glides across a range of emotions and brings an important character to life. There is one scene where she is particularly brilliant. The actress lights up every frame she is in, and it is impossible to take your eyes off her. Special mention also to a great cameo from Simone Singh.
Watch the film for a unique storyline and the magic of Dixit.