Umesh Shukla

102 Not Out Movie Review: Never too old for a joyride

May 032018

Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor’s effortless performances, coupled with their intoxicating screen presence make 102 Not Out worth watching

Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in a still 102 Not Out

102 Not Out
U/A, Comedy-Drama
Director: Umesh Shukla
Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Jimit Trivedi
Rating:

“You know this happens often? I know of somebody who went through the same experience,” a woman said to her friend in the theatre. I heard a similar conversation at the preview screening of director Umesh Shukla’s 102 Not Out. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one getting emotionally involved with the tale unfolding on screen.

102 Not Out‘s tale is as old as time. It’s about the sacrifices parents make in order to give their children a good life, only to be rejected by them in their old age. What makes this film different from others based on the same theme is the camaraderie between the two lead actors – Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. Having played many memorable roles in their long, illustrious careers, the veterans are back together on the big screen after almost three decades, and they are like a house on fire.

Dattatraya Vakharia [Bachchan] is a 102-year-old fun-loving and free-spirited man, who wants to break the world record of living for 118 years, a record held by the Chinese man Wong Chong Tung. On the other hand, Babulal Vakharia [Kapoor] plays his 75-year old son, who is uptight and follows a mundane life. Because of his morose life, Dattatraya decides to send his son to an old-age home, but Babulal disagrees. Dattatraya agrees to stay with him on condition that his son will fulfil a few tasks.

Shukla tries to keep the film breezy, yet high on emotions. The screenplay by Saumya Joshi, who also penned the eponymous Gujarati play that inspired the film, feels patchy at times. Despite some unconvincing moments in the plot, 102 Not Out keeps the viewers involved all the way till the climax. Though the tempo drops considerably in the second half, Shukla ensures that the story doesn’t lose its charm. Admittedly, it does get preachy and you find yourself shifting in your seats when Babulal makes the big climactic revelation to his son that feels forced.

The beauty of the film is that none of its pitfalls eventually matter. The movie wins you over with its innocence and simplicity. Actor Jimit Trivedi, as the errand boy, deserves a special mention as he provides some of the film’s lighter moments with his over-the-top acts. But Bachchan and Kapoor’s effortless performances, coupled with their intoxicating screen presence make this movie worth watching.

Also read – Amitabh Bachchan on 102 Not Out’s Badumbaa: Wanted to create a song youngsters could chant

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Rishi Kapoor feels proud to work with Amitabh Bachchan for 44 years

Celebrities

Apr 202018

The 102 Not Out team gathered here to promote its song Badumbaaa, which is composed and sung by Amitabh Bachchan

Rishi Kapoor

Veteran actors Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan will reunite on the big screen after 27 years, but the former doesn’t “feel the gap”. Talking about his experience of working with Amitabh in the forthcoming film “102 Not Out”, Rishi told the media here on Thursday: “We worked in this film after 27 years but from the time we went on the set, we started rehearsing. We did not feel the gap between these years.”

“I feel proud to say that I have been working with him for the last 44 years. Our first film was ‘Kabhi Kabhie’ (1976) and the last time we worked together was in Ajooba (1991).” Together, they have delivered celebrated films like Naseeb”, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony and Coolie. Amitabh appreciates all his 102 Not Out co-stars, including Jimit Trivedi.

“I believe if you are appreciating my performance, it is due to my co-artistes. If they don’t perform well enough for your reaction, then your reaction would go wrong,” said the megastar. “So I would like to compliment Rishiji and Jimit for this film. Whenever you see (a movie), if you like it or don’t like it, it depends on their performance too. Our performances are the reflection of their performances,” he added.

The film’s team gathered here to promote its song Badumbaaa, which is composed and sung by Amitabh. Not many films are made on senior citizens. Asked why there isn’t much representation of senior citizens in films, Amitabh, 75, said: “Senior citizens are very respectable people of our society. If they are not there, we are not there. Whenever we try to make a film on them, we treat them with dignity. I hope that through this film, we will be able to convey the message to our audience.”

Adding to that, Rishi said: “He (Amitabh) did films like ‘Piku’ and ‘Pink’. Yes, there are not many films made on senior citizens but there are not many Bachchans around, right?” 102 Not Out, directed by Umesh Shukla, will release on May 4.

Also read: Umesh Shukla feels fortunate about casting Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in 102 Not Out

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