'Phullu': Performances outshine
its weak plot
(Review By Troy Ribeiro , Rating: **)
Good intentions, bad execution is the way one can sum up "Phullu", a
film with a message and a wafer-thin plot. The subject itself is
perhaps not even worthy of a full-length film.
Phullu (Sharib Hashmi) is a kind-hearted and helpful village boy, a
good-for-nothing, according to his mother. He spends his time running
errands for the village women, helping them by bringing their personal
goods from the city for no cost at all. A chance meeting with a woman
doctor at a chemist's shop in the city makes him realise the importance
of hygiene for women and why they should use sanitary napkins instead
of the customary cloth they do, to cut corners.
His motto then is to help women by creating an affordable sanitary
napkin which they can all use and thereby safeguard themselves from
infection. This forms the crux of this one and a half hour film.
The subject itself is a wrong choice for a feature film. While the
message is strong, this cannot be the pivot around which the entire
film can be hinged. While the first half of the film establishes
Phullu's character and the setting, the second half of the film drags
and is boring with no drama, twists or even entertainment.
The writing by Shaheen Iqbal shines in parts, especially in the scene
with Inaamulhaq and also in certain scenes involving Phullu's mother.
Sharib Hashmi squarely carries the film on his shoulders and is
sincerity personified, but the script limits him. He delivers on every
front and is endearing. He is ably supported by Nutan Surya playing his
mother and Jyotii Sethi playing his wife Bhigni. Inaamulhaq in a one
scene role is brilliant.
The treatment of the film is more like a documentary or a public
service campaign film.
The music by Troy Arif and Vickky Agarwal is light and refreshing and
adds to the appeal of the film. The song "Manmatanga" by Desh Gaurav is
well sung and soulfully rendered.
The cinematography by Simarjit Singh and Suman is a tad amateurish,
especially in scenes where the hand-held camera is used. They however
manage to capture the village beautifully with their wide angle lens.
Overall, the fault with "Phullu" lies in its poor script and not in the
production quality of the film.
"Begum Jaan" fame actor Pitobash Tripathy, who was present for the special screening of "Phullu", says that the film talks about a very important topic yet doesn't seem preachy at all.Read More
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Singer:Sonika Sharma,Kritika Goyal,Suman Sahni,. Lyricist:Shaheen Iqbal,. Music Director:ickky Agarwal,.
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Banni Ka Joban Gulab Jan jaysan
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