"Sarfira" means crazy, and that's how dreams are. People often label someone as "crazy" when they dream big or think unconventionally. In Sudha Kongara's movie, we see how madness to dream differently drives a person to achieve big ambitions, no matter the challenges. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Radhikka Madan, and Seema Biswas. It's a Hindi remake of Sudha's 2020 Tamil film Soorarai Pottru, which stars Suriya in the lead role.
Movie Review: Sarfira
Release date: July 12
Where To Watch: Theatres
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Radhikka Madan, Seema Biswa, Saurabh Goyal, and Krishnakumar Balasubramanian
Director: Sudha Kongara
Review by: Pooja Darade
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What is it about?
The story follows Vir Mhatre (Akshay Kumar), a man from a small village in Satara who dreams of creating a low-cost airline that middle-class and lower-middle-class Indians could afford for travel. Vir, an ex-Indian Air Force pilot, is willing to go to any lengths to bring about this significant change for people like him. Despite facing numerous obstacles that threaten his dream, nothing stops him. The support from his loved ones also plays a crucial role in helping him stay committed to his goals.
What's hot?
Sarfira is truly a story of unstoppable madness. Watching Vir Mhatre remain determined about his dream of making air travel affordable for middle-class Indians is quite inspiring. However, what I appreciated about the Akshay Kumar starrer was its realistic portrayal of setbacks for the protagonist. Of course, there's a villain named Paresh Goswami (Paresh Rawal), who mocks Vir's dream and ensures that common people do not have the privilege to board a flight and sit next to "elites" like him. Every time it seems like Vir's dream might take off, Paresh makes the journey difficult. However, Sudha Kongara, the writer-director, doesn't merely introduce these complications for dramatic effect; they compel Vir to start over, thereby enhancing the narrative's depth.
Another aspect that makes Sarfira a compelling watch is how the protagonist is held accountable for his actions. Vir Mhatre has temper issues and often lashes out at those around him when things go wrong. But the film doesn't give Mhatre a free pass because he's the lead. Vir faces consequences for his actions, making the story more realistic. Sarfira keeps you engrossed in Vir Mhatre's dream, making you wonder if he will succeed. The screenplay and the unfolding of key events keep you on the edge of your seat. Often, there's a profound reason behind such big ambitions. When the motivation behind Vir's aim to make air travel affordable for the middle and lower-middle-class people is unveiled, it deeply moves you. His stubbornness to keep going suddenly makes perfect sense.
Akshay Kumar's Sarfira is incomplete without the people in his life. In Rajkummar Rao's Srikanth, there's a dialogue that goes something like, "Every person should have people like Devika and Ravi who help a person realise their dreams." In Sudha Kongara's movie, the people in Vir Mhatre's life are his pillars of strength. While Vir's dream might be his own, his wife Rani (Radhika Madan), his mother (Seema Biswas), and his friends are the driving forces in his story.
Akshay Kumar delivers a commendable performance as Vir Mhatre, a dreamer and believer who wants to bring about substantial change for middle-class people. He portrays various emotions, keeping you connected and invested in Vir's determination and journey until the end. Radhika Madan's Rani adds fierceness to the story. I loved how Rani isn't just a support system for Vir; she has her own dreams, knows her value, and rightfully calls out her husband when he's wrong. Radhika is natural on screen, making her character an instant favourite. Paresh Rawal, despite limited dialogue and screen presence, effectively portrays a character with discriminatory behaviour and thinking. He is brilliant throughout.
What's not?
In terms of storytelling, there's little to criticise in Sarfira. However, the first few songs appear within 30 minutes and aren't particularly engaging.
Final Verdict
The film's narrative and character depth make it a compelling watch. Sarfira stands out as a testament to the power of dreams and the unyielding spirit required to achieve them. Watch out for Suriya's dashing cameo in the end!
