SAARE JAAHAN SE MEHNGA

 
MOVIE REVIEW

SAARE JAAHAN SE MEHNGA
Takes the core issues of the commoners

By Sugam Gautam

When I find myself exhausted from reading book after book, I occasionally turn to movies for a change of pace. My intention is always to watch movies on the weekend, but I often end up engrossed in another novel instead. While I wouldn't call myself a die-hard movie fan, there's a special place in my heart for them. One of my friends, on the other hand, can binge-watch movies day and night. I've witnessed him watching three movies in a single day; he's a true movie buff. Whenever we meet, he excitedly shares his latest movie recommendations, boasting that he only watches the cream of the crop. 

On many occasions, I admit to him that I haven't seen many movies recently, and he quickly suggests one. The great thing is that he recommends one movie at a time. While his choices don't always align perfectly with my taste, they're never disappointments either. With my friend's recommendations, I watched half the movies I have to date. 

His latest recommendation was 'Saare Jaahan Se Mehnga,' a comedy Hindi movie released in 2013. In this case, I owe my friend a big thank you, as I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The film's storyline revolves around a community grappling with soaring inflation. Price hikes in everyday items hit middle-class families hard, forcing them to cut back on their essentials. The movie features a large cast of characters. Still, the story primarily focuses on the Pal family, including Puttan Pal (played by Sanjay Mishra), his wife Noori (Pragati Pandey), younger brother Gopal (Ranjan Chhabra), and their father (Vishwa Mohan Badola). Puttan Pal works in a cattle breeding center, barely earning enough to support his family of four. Noori runs a beauty parlor, contributing to the family income, but Puttan Pal's brother and father offer no assistance. 

What irks Puttan Pal the most is his brother's nonchalant attitude towards the future. Gopal, the younger brother, has failed his board examinations three times, but their father seems unfazed. Gopal refuses to share the financial burden, a constant source of frustration for Puttan Pal. As the cost of living continues to rise, Puttan Pal becomes aware of the relentless price increases when he goes to buy flour at the local store. The shopkeeper informs him that the cost has gone up by Rs 3, despite it being just last week when it increased. This incident sparks an idea in Puttan Pal's mind to combat inflation. 

Puttan Pal takes a loan of Rs 1 lakh under a government scheme, using his brother's name, to stockpile essential supplies that would last for three years. The loan was intended for opening a shop, but Puttan Pal diverted the funds to purchase household necessities. Little did he know that a loan inspector would come to audit, and his plan would backfire. At first, Noori tries to chase away the inspector by claiming that Gopal and Puttan Pal are out of town on business. However, the clever inspector discovers their attempt to evade him and keeps a close watch on them. Puttan Pal is compelled to open a shop, displaying the goods he purchased earlier to demonstrate the loan's legitimate use. When the inspector realizes that the shop is not actively selling goods and is merely a front, he aims to charge Puttan Pal for a breach of the law. 

Puttan Pal's goal is to store these goods for the next three years, so he doesn't have to worry about further price hikes. However, he discovers that the inspector is hot on his trail, prompting him to seek assistance from his neighbors. They fake buying goods from his shop to outsmart the inspector, but he proves to be a tough nut to crack. 

One thing I can promise is that you won't be bored while watching this movie. I won't delve into further details, but even though the film lacks a thrilling conclusion, it's uplifting and follows the path you expect. The movie raises questions about why the government isn't doing more to ease the lives of the middle-class population. The characters in the film are modest, with simple desires – to afford their daily necessities without a second thought. This satirical movie resonates with everyone, as inflation affects all of us in one way or another. The theme and plot are straightforward, making it accessible to all viewers. 

I've always been a big fan of Sanjay Mishra, and after watching this movie, my admiration for his talent has grown even more. If I point out a shortcoming in the film, it would be the characterization, particularly of Gopal. He's portrayed as a troublemaker, but more development in this area could have added an extra layer of intrigue to the already excellent movie. In conclusion, I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys watching comedy movies. 

Sugam Gautam is a writer from Pokhara. He widely writes on various issues and his articles are regularly published in national and online media. He is the author of his debut novel Loafer. Dear Mamta is his second novel. Mr. Gautam’s short stories are published in the FICTION PARK
of The Kathmandu Post.   
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