Dearest Chacha,
Hi how are you? I hope you?re ok! You must be wondering what made me write to you, considering we only communicate properly around once every two years when I have the fortunate experience of visiting my lovely India. Well, to be honest, it was a film that made me remember you. And before you feel degraded that your oh so wonderful niece only remembers you whilst watching a movie, I request you to finish reading the whole letter, which I have made into a review especially for you.
It was one fine Saturday morning. I got up, looked in the mirror, screamed at the mirror, tried desperately to fix my hair before it managed to defy gravity any further, failed and then disappointedly sat down and switched on the television to stare evilly at those actresses whose hair was perfect. And then I saw that King Uncle was on. Then I screamed again: but not in shock, but with joy because that is, as you should very well know, my favourite childhood film.
Those carefree days of singing Akar Bakar Bombay Bo, surrounded by a crowd of people muffling their ears with their hands at my dulcet tones. And my dear Chacha, I was reminded of you my great Raja Chacha, who gave me wonderful golden carriage rides on his shoulders. So here?s the story, which made me remember my brilliant parivaar in India.
Imagine a man. Grumpy, arrogant, organised, annoying, who shouts at anybody who strolls across his path. Manners is like a new language to him, a bit of courtesy is something he?s never heard before and he wouldn?t say ?sorry? or ?thank you? before Chandra?s hair behaved itself that Saturday morning. (Obviously never.) Don?t worry Chacha; I?m not comparing you to him!
This man has a horrible past though; when he was just eight years old, his mother left him, his father, and his younger brother and sister to live with a man who could offer her life?s wealth.
Shortly after this, his father died and this man vowed to himself that he would become the richest man in the world to show up his mother, but unfortunately she died too. This man lives in a world of his own, never caring about his younger sister or brother (he marries her off to some weirdo, and his brother leaves home because he loves a poor girl), only interested in business and scared of love.
Enter a young girl. An orphan who doesn?t even recognise her parents. A young, carefree, lively, pleasant soul who carries with her the joys of life in an optimistic way. The two meet in a slightly awkward situation: he is taking a regular walk around the mountains and she and her friends make fun out of the stiff way in which he was walking. (It was actually quite funny; but the funniest thing was that cute little chubby boy eating a sandwich in the background.) However, then when he comes to the orphanage to confront her guardian who is an evil witch like creature, some confusion makes the girl end up at his house on a ?help the orphan? type scheme, which is apparently supposed to give him publicity.
Originally, he detests her, and ignores her but later this girl wins a place in everyone?s hearts and the changes in him become more apparent every day. He becomes a very kindly man, who cares for everyone, puts his family first, falls in love with his pretty secretary (how can we not have a love story?) and actually looks quite decent. He reminds me of you Chacha and that is what makes me miss you and Chachi and all my cousins so much!
He brings his brother back with his wife, he presumably gets married to his secretary (after looking down her top which was slightly disgusting) and he brings his sister home and she gets married to the person she loves (coincidentally also his employee!). Just when his whole family is together and everything feels perfect, the orphan?s evil guardian and her boyfriend pretend to be her real parents and scam money from the King Uncle.
They take the girl away, and plot to kill her. Chacha, I know that you desperately want to watch the movie now, so I cant tell you the ending! You will notice I haven?t mentioned the names of the characters, and that?s not because I cant remember (hehe I know you were thinking that!) but because I think the story of how a child can make hearts melt in one second is universal and also because King Uncle is a copy of Annie the Musical! But if you must know, the man?s name was Ashok Bhansal and the girls name was Munna.
The lead character is played by the person who you resemble so closely Jackie Shroff, and I know you attempt to act like him too! His acting in this film was really good, and the changes between a grumpy heartless man, into a loving and caring person was really well shown. Brilliant job from him. I don?t know who his little Titli of a secretary was played by but she really annoyed me with her annoying voice! (But her name was Frenny or something, which is supposed to be a drink in Goa!) The little girl was played by Anu Agarwal and she also did a marvellous job at such a young age!
I think she looked really cute in her little dresses and skirts, and she carried off emotional acting originally, without looking cheesy. Plus, one of the dresses looked like the one you gave me for my birthday ages ago! The man?s brother was played by Shahrukh Khan and no, he didn?t look disgusting in this film, he actually looked and acted really cutely. It just goes to show, acting corrupted him! :-) The guardian acted really well as an evil, horrible, cruel woman, and her boyfriend was played by Paresh Rawal, who also did really well in a negative role!
The music of this album reminded me of the times our family spent dancing and dancing. Akar Bakar is the sweetest song ever, with cute words expressing how you should always be happy! Tare Aasma Ke is also a nice children?s song, kind of like a Hindi nursery rhyme! Frenny ne is meant to be a romantic song, but it ended up being a hilarious one with Jackie trying to look drunk but ending up looking like he was having a fit and was in dire need of medication. And finally, the most family-like song was Khush Rehne Ki, which was a song all about how love makes the world go round!
I know you haven?t see this film yet Chacha, but I really think you should because it is overall a very well presented and directed movie. Although the story line is completely lifted, I can still never get tired of watching it and I know that everyone who does will find it very sweet. Say hi to everyone there from me and tell them that I miss them so much and to save extra bottles of Energee for me. Oh and if any of you bump into Abhishek or Saif at any time, don?t forget to get their contact details because I er?want to offer them jobs! :P
Love,
Your niece x
