Movie: MOM
Direction: Ravi Udyawar
Cast: Sridevi, Adnan Siddiqui, Sajal Ali, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Akshaye Khanna
Music: AR Rahman
Cinematographer: Anay Goswamy
Editor: Monisha R Baldawa
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rating: ∗∗∗½
What is it about: It’s Drama-Thriller, which revolves around a Mother and her Daughter, the conflicts surrounding this relationship and how one unfortunate incident turns everything upside down, forms the crux of the story directed by Ravi Udyawar.
Why it’s disappointing: Except for one scene in the climax, which suddenly dives in to typical Bollywood masala. When you watch the film you would know.
What to watch out for: There have been many films made on this genre, and had similar plot. Even the recent film “Maatr” starring Raveen Tandon had a similar story. But you can ask what makes “MOM” anything different. Most definitely the treatment given to the story by the director Ravi Udyawar in association with Girish Kohli. A subject of this intensity has to have a sane balance in drama and emotions. And Ravi did a fine job in handling them. Every aspect of the story had a layer which was unravelled with utmost diligence, which makes the audience glue to their seats in a riveting narration. Of course a subject of this calibre requires a potential cast and “MOM” was blessed with a stellar ensemble or performers.
Sridevi, a veteran who reminds everyone when she comes on screen that she didn’t become a star overnight. A performance so refined that she hits you hard with emotions which any mother would relate, to be precise any women would do. Fantastic would be an understatement.
Sajal Ali as Arya, who plays the role of Sridevi’s daughter is another precious found by Mukesh Chhabra from Pakistan. She’s got strong potential to grow in Bollywood as a successful actress. She did a great job and was spot on.
Adnan Siddiqui as Anand did a fine job. It was followed by Akshaye Khanna as Mathew Francis, who was crisp and dynamic in the film.
Finally the stellar performance by Nazwazuddin Siddiqui, who comes for a brief period but leaves a strong foot print on the film as “DK”.
The cinematography by Anay Goswamy was delectable, he had chosen a great tone for the film which was perfect. The editing by Monisha, was sharp. Then of course the music and score by A.R.Rahman was amazing, especially the score was a gripping one.
Verdict: Ravi Udyawar, crafted a neat thriller from a clichéd subject of revenge. And balanced the sanity between emotions and drama, keeping it intense. Definitely worth a watch, don’t miss it.
