Mumbai Meri Jaan - Review

Mumbai meri jaan is the latest flick to borrow its title from age old vintage classic songs, starting from the trend setter DDLJ about 15 years ago, to the other co - releases Bachna Ae Haseeno and Jaane tu ya jaane na. In fact, Nishinkant Kamat also delectably uses the classic old song in the final scene depicting that Mumbai is as much a “Meri Jaan” to a Mumbaikar, even today, as it was 4 to 5 decades ago.

The story line depicts irony in our day to day lives, especially in the news reporter who makes stories out of incidents, becomes a story herself; or a cop who sees his alter ego in his conscientious colleague and laments at having no true success story to narrate about his service, on retiring after 35 years of successful service; or how a split second decision of changing bogey from I Class to II Class can change your life. It also shows how our preconceived notions or prejudices can be belied by the reality of the situation; as a man biased against a community is destined for sun shine in life from that very community person.

I give 10/10 to the director on detailing and would like to quote one particular scene, which I wonder how many viewers have observed. When Suresh (Kay Kay Menon) and his friend go to Yusuf’s house, there is a picture of Shirdi Sai Baba on the cupboard in this Muslim’s house. Frankly, my friend and I were for a moment chuckling at this oddity, which we thought was the director’s oops moment, a blooper; only to realize later that it was his Oomph moment, when Yusuf shares Shirdi Sai Baba’s Prasad with Kay Kay, justifying Baba’s picture in his house. Full marks to you sir.

The other interesting act is of Irfan Khan, his angst against the society, his well rehearsed cycling style, his pompous walking style on his success of ruling the lives of people followed by his coming out into the crossroads of life, hands spread standing over a cross on the streets as though he is the Jesus whom he prays and whose photo adorns his house.

All these aspects make the movie an absolutely outstanding movie, leaving a sense of optimism and positivity at the end of the day, in otherwise our banal situations. Full marks also to Soha Ali Khan, Irfan Khan, Maurya for outstanding performances. A special mention of Paresh Rawal, for probably the most stupendous performance and by far his best performance in my opinion.