Eastern Eye (UK)

Compelling friendship drama shows age is just a number

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ACCLAIMED filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya steps back from extended family driven dramas he has been known for in the past three decades by attempting something decidedly different with the story of senior citizens scaling a mountain.

Three elderly men get inspired to do a Mount Everest base camp climb in tribute to a deceased friend, who had a dream of doing the same with them. Driven by friendship, they overcome barriers, including resistance from loved ones and health issues, to take on the mammoth challenge. They also have a plan that isn’t quite foolproof.

From well-written older protagonis­ts to the compelling story, interestin­g sub-plots, and scenic setting, it is the uniqueness that makes this a special movie. A nice combinatio­n of humour, emotion, and human drama drives this life-affirming story forward. The beautifull­y shot drama has stunning scenery and great performanc­es from the talented lead cast, led by unstoppabl­e 80-year-old Amitabh Bachchan, along with the ever-versatile Anupam Kher and Boman Irani. There is great interplay between the three acting powerhouse­s, from emotional scenes to laughter filled moments. It was also great to see Hindi cinema legends Danny Denzongpa and Sarika back on the big screen.

By exploring themes of friendship, love, and choices with older characters, Barjatya adds an interestin­g new dynamic to an age-range that is often ignored by commercial Hindi cinema. By making the characters relatable, he gives the story a wide appeal.

What prevents this mountain climbing movie from scaling greater heights is the excessive length. It is around 30 minutes too long. The music is also surprising­ly poor. Those who want something different will take away a lot from this family friendly film with plenty of messages, which shows that age is just a number.

 ?? ?? Starring: Amitabh Bachchan Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Sarika, Neena Gupta Director: Sooraj Barjatya
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Sarika, Neena Gupta Director: Sooraj Barjatya

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