Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Karan Johar
Hollywood News
Kamal Haasan
Brahmastra Movie
Vijay
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Entertainment News / 'Gulabo Sitabo' movie review: A rather bumbling affair
Entertainment

'Gulabo Sitabo' movie review: A rather bumbling affair

'Gulabo Sitabo' movie review: A rather bumbling affair
Written by Sagar
Jun 13, 2020, 08:43 am 4 min read
'Gulabo Sitabo' movie review: A rather bumbling affair

Gulabo Sitabo, streaming now on Prime Video, is a lot about the things that Shoojit Sircar's films have come to be known for: the simplicity and charm of daily life, for instance. At the same time, it fails on some other, perhaps more important aspects of his movies. This one might be the director's most unemotional and ineffectual outing till date. Here's our review.

Plot
A dilapidated 'haveli' is the center of attention

It all starts and ends with a haveli, a century-old, dilapidated mansion in the heart of Lucknow. Mirza Nawab (Amitabh Bachchan), a 78-year-old stooped and bearded man looks after the mansion. He spends his time doing two things mainly: annoying and fighting his tenants and waiting for his wife, Begum (a terrific Farrukh Jaffar) to breathe her last so he finally inherits the haveli.

Plot
Mirza and Baankey: A match made in hell?

Mirza is not the most likeable of characters. He is the sort of man who'd sell his tenants' bulbs and cycle bells, when he runs out of money to eat paan. But others around him aren't too behind. Among his tenants, Mirza has a keen disliking for Baankey Rastogi (Ayushmann Khurrana), a shrewd, sly man who resides there with his mother and three sisters.

Story
To keep, to sell, or to seal

Mirza has no interest in calling Baankey a tenant, while the latter has zero plans of moving out. Hence, the two are perpetually at loggerheads. But they aren't the only ones interested in the haveli. A government archaeology officer (the ever-reliable Vijay Raaz) wants to seal the haveli for restoration, while a lawyer (Brijendra Kala) tries to help Mirza sell off the hot property.

Pacing
The movie takes forever to build up

Pacing is not Gulabo Sitabo's stronghold. The film uses a lot of time, almost a half of its runtime, in creating this world of quirky characters and introducing you to them. It tells who they are and what they do, but rarely what they want to say. And even after it takes so long to build up, it ultimately leads up to too little.

Characters
Plus, it's difficult to feel for these characters

One can perhaps deal with slow pacing as long as they are connected with or invested in the characters. But unfortunately, in Gulabo Sitabo, almost none of the characters is likeable: they are selfish, sly and uncaring. Since things move too slow and the characters are not endearing, you may end up losing patience with them, just like they do with each other onscreen.

Information
The intent is clear, just not impactful

It is understandable where Gulabo Sitabo intends to head. It is supposed to be a commentary/satire on personal and systemic greed that ultimately takes away what one already has. But the screenplay just isn't sharp enough to do justice to those intentions.

Bachchan
Bachchan plays Mirza with practical consistency

Mirza, an old yet supremely materialistic man, is a tough character to understand, and thus also hard to play. He openly admits he didn't have a child so that he could solely inherit the haveli. Amitabh Bachchan carries him with persistence and prosthetics, but apparently not a lot of pride. This makes part of the performance feel staged rather than natural.

Information
An easy picking for Ayushmann Khurrana

In Gulabo Sitabo too, Ayushmann Khurrana ticks most of the characteristic boxes that people love to see in his characters onscreen. So, he does his usual thing and he does it well. Undoubtedly, he is good at it, but perhaps does too often of it.

Final word
To watch or not to watch?

Gulabo Sitabo is a rare mishit from Sircar and writer Juhi Chaturvedi. It first takes too long to build up its aura and then leaves you feeling dissatisfied. Even as Bachchan and Khurrana offer respite through their strong performances, they can only impress you but cannot keep you engaged or invested in this bumbling and middling story. Final rating: 2.5/5 stars.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Sagar
Sagar
Twitter
Sagar covers national news for NewsBytes. He has previously worked as an editorial intern at NDTV. Over the course of his near three-year career, Sagar has gained experience in news writing, copy editing, and video production. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Delhi.
Latest
Amitabh Bachchan
Ayushmann Khurrana
Vijay Raaz
Shoojit Sircar
Juhi Chaturvedi
Latest
England vs NZ, 3rd Test: Mitchell, Blundell lead fight back
England vs NZ, 3rd Test: Mitchell, Blundell lead fight back Sports
Kia Carens scores 3-star rating in Global NCAP crash test
Kia Carens scores 3-star rating in Global NCAP crash test Auto
Eastbourne International: Serena and Jabeur withdraw ahead of semi-finals
Eastbourne International: Serena and Jabeur withdraw ahead of semi-finals Sports
India, China share common interests that outnumber differences: Chinese FM
India, China share common interests that outnumber differences: Chinese FM World
Check out the world's 'most' and 'least' liveable cities
Check out the world's 'most' and 'least' liveable cities World
Amitabh Bachchan
'Rocketry': Shah Rukh Khan, Suriya didn't charge anything, reveals Madhavan
'Rocketry': Shah Rukh Khan, Suriya didn't charge anything, reveals Madhavan Entertainment
Aadesh Shrivastava's biopic announced; son Avitesh to play lead role
Aadesh Shrivastava's biopic announced; son Avitesh to play lead role Entertainment
'Brahmastra' trailer: Ayan Mukerji trolled over temple scene, posts justification
'Brahmastra' trailer: Ayan Mukerji trolled over temple scene, posts justification Entertainment
'Koffee With Karan' Season 7 to stream from July 7!
'Koffee With Karan' Season 7 to stream from July 7! Entertainment
Father's Day special: Looking at five best Bollywood fathers
Father's Day special: Looking at five best Bollywood fathers Entertainment
More News
Ayushmann Khurrana
'Doctor G', 'Maidaan', 'Mission Majnu': It's raining delays in Bollywood
'Doctor G', 'Maidaan', 'Mission Majnu': It's raining delays in Bollywood Entertainment
Vidyut Jammwal's 'Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2' gets new release date
Vidyut Jammwal's 'Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2' gets new release date Entertainment
'Badhaai Do' screened at KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
'Badhaai Do' screened at KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival Entertainment
'Anek' review: Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer's agenda overshadowed by weak storytelling
'Anek' review: Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer's agenda overshadowed by weak storytelling Entertainment
'Anek' to 'F3': New movies hitting theaters this week
'Anek' to 'F3': New movies hitting theaters this week Entertainment
More News
Vijay Raaz
'Shabaash Mithu' trailer: Taapsee Pannu's Mithu changes 'gentleman's game'
'Shabaash Mithu' trailer: Taapsee Pannu's Mithu changes 'gentleman's game' Entertainment
'Gangubai Kathiawadi' review: Alia is mesmerizing but story lacks plenitude
'Gangubai Kathiawadi' review: Alia is mesmerizing but story lacks plenitude Entertainment
'Gangubai Kathiawadi' trailer: Alia Bhatt leads the way all along
'Gangubai Kathiawadi' trailer: Alia Bhatt leads the way all along Entertainment
'Waah Zindagi' review: Cleverly written subject, good music, top-notch performances
'Waah Zindagi' review: Cleverly written subject, good music, top-notch performances Entertainment
Vijay Raaz breaks his silence on molestation allegations
Vijay Raaz breaks his silence on molestation allegations Entertainment
More News
Shoojit Sircar
Shoojit Sircar's 'Deep6' to premiere at 26th BIFF
Shoojit Sircar's 'Deep6' to premiere at 26th BIFF Entertainment
'Piku' sequel: If it happens, what can be the story?
'Piku' sequel: If it happens, what can be the story? Entertainment
Shoojit Sircar and Irrfan Khan's son to work together
Shoojit Sircar and Irrfan Khan's son to work together Entertainment
Ayushmann Khurrana announces new film titled 'Doctor G'
Ayushmann Khurrana announces new film titled 'Doctor G' Entertainment
Amitabh Bachchan may soon guide you on Google Maps
Amitabh Bachchan may soon guide you on Google Maps Entertainment
More News
Juhi Chaturvedi
'Gulabo Sitabo' writer Juhi Chaturvedi accused of plagiarism
'Gulabo Sitabo' writer Juhi Chaturvedi accused of plagiarism Entertainment
'Gulabo Sitabo' trailer: Bachchan, Khurrana offer a wacky slice-of-life comedy
'Gulabo Sitabo' trailer: Bachchan, Khurrana offer a wacky slice-of-life comedy Entertainment
What Amitabh Bachchan said about 'Gulabo Sitabo' going digital
What Amitabh Bachchan said about 'Gulabo Sitabo' going digital Entertainment
Amitabh-Ayushmann's 'Gulabo Sitabo' to release on Amazon Prime this June
Amitabh-Ayushmann's 'Gulabo Sitabo' to release on Amazon Prime this June Entertainment
8 Bollywood films to look forward to in 2020
8 Bollywood films to look forward to in 2020 Entertainment
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Entertainment news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Entertainment Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022