Many of you may be unaware of Akshay Kumar’s film Sarfira which is going to hit the theatres on July 12. The film is directed by the National Award-winning director Sudha Kongara and has been co-written by Pooja Tolani and Shalini Ushadevi. Sarfira also stars fine actors like Paresh Rawal, Radhikka Madan, Seema Biswas, Saurabh Goyal, Anil Charanjeett, and Rahul Vohra among others. It’s a movie inspired by the real-life story of GR Gopinath, the founder of low-cost airline Air Deccan. The movie revolves around the story of Vir Mhatre, an ex-Air Force officer and his impossible dream to start the first low-cost airline in India against the powerful people holding the monopoly in aviation. The film has impactful performances, a thought-provoking story and brilliant direction by Sudha Kongara, but the running time is quite long. Here’s our detailed review!
Plot
For the unversed, Akshay Kumar and Radhikka Madan’s Sarfira is the Hindi remake of Suriya starrer Soorarai Potru, directed by Sudha Kongara. The plot is around Vir Mhatre (Akshay Kumar), an ex-Air Force officer who has a business idea of making a low-cost airline in India for the underprivileged section of society. He dreams of making flying in aeroplanes accessible and affordable to the low-income earning group but the idea has been rejected by 20 venture capitalists. Radhikka Madan plays Rani, who eventually becomes Vir’s partner and also starts her dream business of opening a bakery. The film is mostly focused on Vir’s struggles in arranging finances and partnerships for his low-cost airline Air Deccan. Paresh Rawal plays the airline business tycoon Paresh Goswani who keeps making Vir’s journey more and more difficult, to the point where he breaks down but does not give up. Sarfira shows the different layers of monopoly involved in the airline business, especially during the early 2000s. Sarfira also has a hard-hitting theme around the kind of restrictions poverty imposes on people, to the point where it prevents them from being able to support their parents during their most vulnerable moments. The movie beautifully explores the chemistry between Vir and Rani, and we have lots to discuss there!
What All Works In Sarfira?
Performances
Akshay Kumar truly shows his range and calibre as an actor yet again. The actor has done many movies based on social issues, but this one has to be one of his most impactful roles. Akshay Kumar as Vir Mhatre gives his all. In the emotional moments, especially during a funeral scene with Seema Biswas who played Vir Mhatre’s mother, Akshay Kumar is at his best. As an audience, I felt a gut-wrenching pain just like Vir, a sense of remorse and regret hit me as well, and that’s solely because the actor said, ‘I will give this my best shot’. His on-screen chemistry with Radhikka Madan was wholesome and I was digging for them. Akshay Kumar blends himself with the character of Vir Mhatre, and the protagonist’s impossible journey of hard work and perseverance looks so organic.
Radhikka Madan as Rani, a Maharashtrian girl who dreams of starting a bakery is strong-headed, fun, bold and Sarfiri as Vir Mhatre. Radhikka pulls off her role with absolute ease and her character is always a delight to watch on the big screen. Radhikka understands the layers of Rani and delivers them with an impact. Her character of a strong woman (the right kind of feminist) has been written so well, that as a woman, I was like, yes, these are the only things I would want in a romantic partnership. Her principles in marriage are what feminism truly stands for, and Rani stands by them throughout. Radhikka’s innocent and fun on-screen romance with Akshay’s Vir Mhatre did not feel odd, also because the film establishes in the beginning that there is an age gap between the characters.
Also Read: Sudha Kongara Prasad Dedicates ‘Soorarai Pottru’s National Award Win To Her Dad
Seema Biswas as Vir Mhatra’s mother had delivered a performance that deserves standing-ovation. What words do I use to describe the performance of such a fine actor, anything would just be an understatement. She is the backbone of Vir Mhatre and delivers just the right kind of energy in the film. The funeral scene that I mentioned earlier shows Seema Biswas’s ability as an actor to accomplish such a vulnerable and hard-hitting scene with such a fine balance of emotions.
Paresh Rawal as Paresh Goswami is cunning and evil, but all this with a class. He has reprised the role in the Hindi remake of Soorarai Pottru. Paresh Rawal’s character shows the perspectives of the rich and powerful class. The character’s hunger to not let the common man get an opportunity to do something revolutionary in the airline business shows a mirror to society in terms of the monopoly that a handful of people love to have for themselves. Paresh Rawal is an ace actor and this role was like a piece of cake for him, that too without making it too dramatic or caricaturist.
Other actors like Saurabh Goyal, Anil Charanjeett and Rahul Vohra have done their parts well. Anil plays Vir Mhatre’s friend and is one that we would all like to have. Saurabh Goyal and Krishnakumar Balasubramanian’s characters are the co-founders of Air Deccan with Vir Mhatre. They left a strong impression with their roles and fit perfectly as strong supporting characters that add value to the story and film.
Direction And Storytelling
National Award-winning director Sudha Kongara has yet again proved how a real-life-inspired story should be told in an impactful way. The director’s vision was very clear and she infused all the sub-plots with the core of the story so well. Even if there was a love story simultaneously happening amid all the intense drama, there was an element of necessity there. Rani and Vir’s love story feels equally important in the film because it shows how the right kind of support from a strong woman helps the man achieve what he wants in life. This love angle was also inspired by GR Gopinath’s real life but Sudha Kongara made sure it did not overpower the storyline. Some camera angles, especially during the funeral scene and some chasing sequences left a strong impact. There were songs in the middle of the film but it did not hamper the progression of the storyline and distract us from the core message of Sarfira. The emotional moments have been shot beautifully without romanticising the idea of big dreams, it’s as natural as it can be!
Educates More Than Just Telling An Inspirational Story!
Sudha Kongara’s Sarfira leaves you with many thoughts after the film ends. It forces you to think, why are the people in a position not thinking about uplifting the underprivileged class? Why is there a class and caste barrier? Well, this film is based in the early 2000s, but the same questions apply even today. No I mean, aasman pe sirf ameeron ka haq hai? Sarfira tells the story of hope, a hope that even one person is enough to show that ‘It’s possible’, despite all the challenges that come the way. It forces you to think about the limitations that the common public has with a limited amount of money in their pockets. It’s just sad!
Negatives?
Akshay Kumar and Radhikka Madan’s Sarfira are almost three hours long. The running time may be a big reason for distraction in the film. At some moments, it feels like some sub-plots are just too stretched, like Paresh Goswami’s constant efforts to ruin Vir Mhatre’s plan and execution. It could have been cut down on. Also, the VFX was quite average and it was a little bothersome. The entire music album of Sarfira was not really memorable for me as I did not find myself enjoying the music as much.
Verdict
Sudha Kongara’s Sarfira starring Akshay Kumar, Radhikka Madan, Paresh Rawal and Seema Biswas is a story of courage, hard work and perseverance in achieving a dream that sounds impossible and crazy. This real-life inspired story of building a low-cost airline for the common public has some impactful performances by the lead and supporting cast. Sudha Kongara has yet again proved how a story is narrated to the public most effectively. The duration is a little long but Sarfira keeps you engaged throughout. There is also an exciting cameo in the film! Sarfira hits the theatres on July 12, Friday and it’s a nice watch with the family!