Movie Review: Sharmaji Namkeen

Plot

Sharmaji Namkeen is the story of a retired man, Brij Gopal Sharma (played by Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal), who struggles to cope with his new retirement and yearns for purpose. His passion for cooking leads him to a ladies' kitty party, where he finds a circle of friends and a confidante in Veena (Juhi Chawla). But what happens when his sons, neighbors, and relatives find out about his secret job?

Acting

Rishi Kapoor's inimitable charm and spunk are visible in his portrayal of Sharmaji, a character who loves his family and food. Paresh Rawal, who fills in for Kapoor in some portions, delivers an excellent performance, maintaining continuity and picking up traits effortlessly. Juhi Chawla's chemistry with Kapoor is endearing and reminiscent of the Bol Radha Bol days.

Cinematography

The film beautifully captures the Punjabi-dominated Delhi suburbs, middle-class woes, and the whims of the characters. The mouth-watering Delhi street food, including Aloo Tikki Chaat, Dahi Bhalle, and others, adds flavor to the movie.

Direction

Director Hitesh Bhatia presents a light-hearted but moving case against ageism and gender stereotypes, through a slice-of-life tale that cleverly evades the Baghban trope and offers a refreshing take on self-love, loneliness, and single fatherhood. Set in a familiar space for Kapoor, the film conveys the mild grievances and monotony of prematurely retired elderly.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast, led by Juhi Chawla, brings light-hearted sweet moments in places that sometimes feel heavy. Sheeba Chaddha and Ayesha Raza are reliably spunky and have a ball letting their hair down.

Overall

Sharmaji Namkeen is a sweet and innocent slice-of-life tale that offers food for thought. With no blatant conflict, the film strikes a balance between being breezy, humorous, and uplifting. Rishi Kapoor's swansong and show, that faithfully upholds his imagery in cinema, makes this posthumous release a perfect tribute to his tough yet jovial persona.

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