Shilpa Shetty’s Latest Film ‘Sukhee’ Fails to Make an Impact
Directed by Sonal Joshi, the film ‘Sukhee’ attempts to tell the story of a Punjabi homemaker, played by Shilpa Shetty, who longs for respect and a break from her monotonous life. However, it falls short in delivering a fresh and impactful narrative, lacking the depth and intensity of other movies that tackle similar themes.
Recalling Other Notable Films
While watching ‘Sukhee’, one can’t help but think of the powerful tone of Tapsee Pannu’s ‘Thappad’ or the heartwarming yet thought-provoking nature of Sridevi’s ‘English Vinglish’. However, ‘Sukhee’ fails to match the caliber of these films, lacking the edge and impact that sets them apart.
Other notable films, such as ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ and ‘Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum’, depicted the hardships and responsibilities of a homemaker with great authenticity, which is sorely missing in ‘Sukhee’. Additionally, although the film attempts to portray the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship affected by a generation gap, the execution feels forced and theatrical compared to the convincing portrayal in ‘How Old Are You?’.
One-Dimensional Characters and Predictable Plot
One of the major criticisms of ‘Sukhee’ lies in the one-dimensional behavior of its characters. Sukhee’s husband, portrayed by Chaitanya Choudhry, is constantly preoccupied with work and fails to prioritize his family. Sukhee herself is never given a break, as her daughter continuously pressures her to be more modern and fails to appreciate her selfless contributions. It would have been beneficial for the writers, Radhika Anand, Paulomi Dutta, and Rupinder Indrajit, to add more depth and complexity to these characters.
In the first half of the film, veteran actor Vinod Nagpal shines as Sukhee’s ailing father-in-law, delivering witty one-liners about Punjabis’ obsession with high-fat food. However, the film’s trailer gives away too much, and as expected, Sukhee decides to attend her school reunion to escape the monotony of her life. This plot shift serves as an opportunity for the director to incorporate a party song and showcase Delhi’s famous street food, but these elements appear manipulative rather than organic. Additionally, the film follows a predictable path, with the husband and daughter conveniently changing their minds and transforming themselves by the end.
Underwhelming Performances
While Shilpa Shetty possesses a captivating presence, she fails to fully embody the role of a woman yearning for her carefree teenage years. Moreover, her chemistry with Chaitanya Choudhry feels lackluster and fails to create a compelling on-screen dynamic.
The Strength of Female Camaraderie
The film’s strongest moments occur when Sukhee is with her group of girlfriends, particularly the delightful performance by Kusha Kapila. These scenes showcase authentic camaraderie and provide insightful commentary on the everyday challenges faced by women. It is during these moments that the film resonates with its intended audience.
Interestingly, as I watched the film, a large group of girls danced to a song during the interval, possibly to create a social media reel. This serves as a reminder that ‘Sukhee’ aims to evoke nostalgia among women for their school or college days. However, outside of this aspect, the film fails to deliver a impactful portrayal of a homemaker’s journey towards freedom and respect.
‘Sukhee’ is currently running in theaters, but it falls short in leaving a lasting impression. With its lack of freshness and unremarkable performances, it ultimately fails to contribute meaningfully to the cause of feminism or offer a compelling cinematic experience.
