Subhash K Jha revisits the film Mom, starring the brilliant Sridevi, plus as a bonus we also hear from the actress about this revenge drama that released in 2017.
There is a thehrao, a moral narrative equanimity in the storytelling. A lot of it comes from Sridevi’s central performance as a mother craving acceptance from a disgruntled unhappy daughter. They bond after a family crisis. Out of this age-old done-to-death yarn debutant director weaves an exceedingly impressive saga of vendetta that leaves us disturbingly satisfied. The hallmark of a solid revenge tale is the ability for the audience to slip into protagonist’s mind-space and live his or her agony. Here Sridevi doesn’t allow us a moment’s reprieve. It is hard to look away from her anguished responses to her daughter’s predicament for even a second. Yes, she is THAT effective. Nothing from her past performances prepares us for her bravura turn as a mother who will avenge the wrong done to her child, come what may.
Sridevi surrenders her personality to the mother Devaki’s role flowing along with the character’s startling deeds and misdeeds until we no longer know the difference between the two. As Sridevi evolves into a determined avenger even her body language undergoes a change. There is a shot where she stands at a cop’s table in the second-half, looking down at him with disdainful contempt, the earlier hesitation and nervousness of an ordinary aggrieved citizen gone for good.
But Mom is not only about Sridevi’s performance. Unlike many of her earlier films including the wonderful English Vinglish where the rest of cast paled into insignificance, Mom is bolstered by a solid supporting cast. Sajal Ali as Sridevi’s daughter is vulnerable and strong. The girl holds her own before Sridevi although as per scriptural demand, they don’t have many scenes together.
The screen-friendly Adnan Siddiqui makes a terrific husband to Sridevi. They look like a couple in joy and grief and the family breathes an easy air of unrehearsed togetherness. Akshaye Khanna is terrific as a cop torn between duty and justice. He has one major sequence in the parking lot with Sridevi where he proves he is no spring chicken. We need to see more of Mr Khanna on screen. And the grossly-neglected Abhimanyu Singh playing a ruthless Haryanvi lout stands out in the villainous crowd. But it’s Nawazuddin Siddiqui as a lowbrow detective who features in some of the film’s most likeable scenes. His interactive instincts in scenes with Sridevi are on high alert. But he never tries to score over her. Rather, Nawaz plays Sridevi’s foil perfectly. He is the family man with a conscience. And he bonds with Sridevi’s character on that level without intellectualizing his involvement in her problem.
Somehow the even pitch at which director Ravi Udyawar holds all the characters and their performances goes a long way in giving this film the feel of an emotional payoff. Though the film is nearly 2 ½ hours long, nowhere does the narrative allow itself the luxury of taking a breather. The dramatic tension is relentless. Very often the scenes are cut in a way that they heighten the drama without resorting to hysteria.
Some of the scenes featuring the negative characters could have been less blatant. One villain’s post-vendetta appearance makes us cringe. But then subtlety is not thrust into the narrative. It flows naturally from the responses of the characters who when faced by trying times gather themselves together to challenge the status quo.
Mom is an important film. Though its theme is nothing new the debutant director ensures a vigorous accountability to almost every scene. You may be tempted to wonder why Mom seems such a special film with almost every shot exuding freshness and a secret relevance that may or may not be revealed at any point.
Subhash K Jha had spoken to Sridevi on the release of Mom and she was very gung-ho about the project. “Mom is that special to tempt me to go back to the studios. It’s a very emotional film and I got to work with such great actors – Akshaye Khanna, Nawazuddin, Sajal Ali, Adnan Siddiqui – they’re wonderful! Sajal and I were close from the start. Then, during the schedule in Georgia, Sajal and my two daughters and I bonded beautifully. Sajal’s mother’s death shattered her. It is very unfortunate she isn’t there now to see her daughter’s film. But Sajal is like my third child. Now I feel I have one more daughter. Mom is not the kind of film where I could sit and joke around with my co-stars. It isn’t a comedy or love story where I could be constantly talking. Mom is a very intense drama. I wanted to be in that frame of mind, where I felt isolated from others. It wasn’t a conscious decision on my part to be aloof during Mom. It was just the way my character had to be. It was our director Ravi Udyawar who did all the talking on this one.I am overwhelmed. I am a huge admirer of Nawaz. I love all his characters – in Badlapur, Gangs Of Wasseypur, Raman Raghav. Sajal Ali will surprise everybody and Akshaye Khanna also. Such a strong performer. He doesn’t have to do anything. He just has to stand in a frame and the audience won’t look at anybody else.
Adding, “After English Vinglish I was under no compulsion to do another film. Mom grabbed my attention. I know it will be compared with English Vinglish. That film made such an impact. Everybody, from children to old people, identified with my character. I don’t know how much of an impact Mom will make. But, as an actor, it really satisfied me. I am lucky to have worked with Gauri Shinde in English Vinglish and now Ravi Udyawar in Mom. He is so passionate about his work. He made everybody’s job easier. I don’t know how successful it will be. But this much I can say – when people leave the theatre they will take something valuable away with them from Mom. Just like they did from English Vinglish.”
After Mom, Sridevi was eager to do more projects. “I don’t mind the heat or the hard work in the studios at all, as long as the film is worth it. I’ve been doing it since the age of 4. I’ve spent more of my years growing up in the studios of Rajahmundry, than doing what other girls that age enjoy doing. If I didn’t love the studios, I’d have given up by now. I don’t need to work any more. I believe in giving my best to whatever I do. Of course, during those times, the style of acting, dressing, and even walking and talking were different. Once in while, my daughters catch a glimpse of me on television. And they really like me in my old films. Jahnvi and Khushi know that those times, and the fashion during those times, were different. Even in those films that you are referring to, I made sure my clothes and makeup were a little more subtle than what was in fashion.”
When I asked about the secret of her youthful looks, Sridevi said, “Well, you know, it is not just about eating and exercising properly. It’s about being happy from within. I’ve always believed that your state of mind determines how you look. That’s why I choose to be happy from within. Agar aap andar se khush nahin ho to kitna bhi makeup laga lo, gym chale jao, woh dukh nazar aayega (if you are not happy from within, no amount of makeup and working out can help). I lead a very very disciplined life. In fact, my husband, Boney ji, sometimes pulls my leg saying, ‘tu toh sadhu hai’ (you’re an ascetic). Sometimes, both Boney ji and I go crazy over ice-cream, caramel custard and tiramisu. We both have a sweet tooth. Of course, I indulge myself sometimes. One has to, otherwise one will go mad. But the next day I balance it out with extra exercise. I also burn it out for him (laughs uproariously). Yes! He wants the world to know I control his diet.”
