English Vinglish – Lessons in Learning, Loving, Li. Review on English Vinglish

Reviewed by Parvez J Daruwala

We caught the late night  Friday first day, 11.00 pm show of English Vinglish at Vile Parle’s rather sedate, middle-classish Sun City.  Much to our surprise the theatre was filled to capacity and the crowds seemed excited and happy. Again to my surprise there were BMWs, Audis, Hondas and Lineas parked in the rather small compound of the theatre, indicating the changing economic and social status of the audience at this twin-screens cinema house.  We soon realized as we waited to be allowed in, that half the crowd had come to see ‘Oh My God’ on the next screen, , and not surprising since it starred Paresh Bhai (Rawal), and this was ‘aapru/aapla Parla’- teeming predominantly with Gujju and Marathi family audiences – from grandparents to tiny tots, all talking and laughing loudly, and not every one doing so in, what else, but English Finglish !

Aww Right , so now lets cut to ‘English Vinglish’.

As Superstar of yesteryears, Sri Devi’s comeback film, this sure is a great way to return to the silver screen.  Madame Hawa Hawaii is in full form, practically in every scene and this time as a simple, de-glammed, Maharashtrian (But looking quite South Indian, still) home maker.  Living with her upwardly  mobile husband (Adil Hussain) who is depicted as some successful top-of-the-rung corporate guy, daughter (in the seventh standard)  who speaks more English than the mother tongue, a small son who is an absolute delight to watch and a loving, wise ma-in-law (veteran actress, Sulabha Deshpande).  Shashi (our ‘Heroine’) also makes and sells laddoos and has a rather loyal clientele.  We see the daily nok-jhoks of a well settled, loving family, with its bitter-sweet moments and identify quite easily with it all.

There is just one issue which bothers our Shashi, and more so the pre-teen daughter, Sapna – that she is not well conversant with English, the language.  So daughter finds mom quite an embarrassment to have around and turns pink and red (with embarrassment and anger) as mom Shashi tries to talk with her friend’s rather sophisticated mom (Kavita Kapoor, after a long hiatus) and the friendly English Teacher, the ‘Father’ from Kerala.

Things become more interesting when Shashi has to visit New York to attend her niece’s wedding. The family decides she should go first and they would follow.  Imagine, a typical, Bhartiya Naari, with nary-a-knowledge about the Firangi Bhasha having to travel all alone to Amrica.  The scene at the visa counter when the American official asks her how would she manage without knowing English in America, and the riposte from his Indian colleague, drew loud claps and cheers from our rather educated audience.

Then there are the scenes on the flight to the US.  Our simple lady is shown never to have before flown ! This is somewhat difficult to believe when you think of the corporate status her husband seems to have. But never mind such small glitches. Let’s move on.  As she is struggling to make sense of the aircraft, she is joined on the next seat by… a real life Superstar, in a real Special Role. Making these amongst the most delightful moments in the film.  No, wont tell you who it is... go watch ‘English Vinglish’ to know more ?

Again, the house erupted in loud claps and cheers when this person replies to the American Officials at NYC Airport why he is visiting their country.  Remember, this was not the front benchers who usually do the siti bajaaoing and taali maaroing in our masala films. This was the Young, Urban, Educated, Upwardly Mobile Professional types, watching a simplistic, almost realistic film (‘YUPPIES’, one doesn’t see that word much now, does one… showing how quickly our English Vinglish keeps evolving).

So Shashi is now in the Big Apple, with her loving sister and nieces. The camera shows us how much it loves this city.  How you wish you could be there ! Soon Shashi embarks on her own secret project… to learn English.  Unknown to the family, she joins an English Speaking Class and that reminds us of the delightful comedy of a few decades ago on telly, ‘Mind Your Language’.  With fellow students from India, Pakistan, France Mehico (no spelling error, that’s how it was pronounced ? ), Japan (or was it China?), and some African country, we are pulled into the fun and family like bonding that begins to take place in the ‘Learn to speak English in Five Weeks’ “Tuitions” as Shashi calls the classes.

But hey, remember this is a Hindi Movie.. so a love story cannot be far behind.  Fellow French student Laurent (Mehdi Nebbou) seems to develop a soft corner for our simple maiden from Inde.  There are some tender moments – no no, nothing Frenchie about it please – and then Shashi’s kids and hubby join her in NYC.  And the story continues. And we, as the audience continue to cheer and clap for Shashi (and her fellow class mates) as she traverses through the twists and turns of the English Language, and also of her life, love and learnings. Learning to be more independent, self accepting, self empowered and yes, not being ‘judge-mental’.

We can almost predict how the last few scenes will unfold - but its not a drag.  Sridevi and all the other terrific performers keep us glued to the happenings on screen with their little issues and concerns, bring out our own empathy for them, making us smile, laugh, clap  and shed the occasional tear.

As Gauri Shinde’s debut film, this is again another achievement. Take a bow, madame.  As R Balki (Cheeni Kum)’s wife, you are not disappointed with the film. The direction is obviously very good, and so is the simple story and the tight script and editing.  The performances from all the actors – and there are quite a few of them here, including from different nationalities – all do a wonderful job of keeping us engaged and waiting for the next scene.  The few songs and music are likeable and hummable, esp the last number with its Marathi words (Gauribai shows us how cultures keep shifting across generations, geographies, time and space … while the old granma suggests this song for the wedding, the little grandson scoffs it off as ‘boring’, while the nieces settled in US, ‘dig it’ and make all dance to it, including the gora log). The film also proves that Hindi films need not be tied to a Punjabi or North Indian background, , Pan- Indianism is in, and How !

‘English Vinglish’ then is a treat for all of us who love not only movies (yes, even Hindi films) but also the delightful Queen’s Language, now at home around the world. It kind of tells us that ‘Heroine’ centric films (Excuse the pun, Mr Bhandarkar and a certain Ms KK) are making their mark and the trend shall continue.  So long as script and story are meaningful and touch a chord in your heart. You don’t necessarily need over the top, loud, glamourous, over dramatic stuff.  Just something which comes straight from the heart and hits the mark.   ‘English Vinglish’ does just that.

You not only enjoy the film but somewhere at the back of the mind, it makes us keep thinking of such things as the clash of cultures, communication and languages, family roles and changing values .. hey… lets keep all that high- brow stuff  aside for now.  If you haven’t yet seen the film, head to the nearest theatre screening it.  And upgrade your own ‘English Vinglish’

Ratings : Four Stars.

Film Reviewed by

Parvez J Daruwala