Aiyyaa
Today, we’re talking about Sachin Kundalkar’s 2012 dramedy Aiyyaa which is a remake of the director’s own Marathi film Gandha. The quirky comedy headlined by Rani Mukherji follows the story of Meenakshi, a feisty woman who meets various arranged suitors to eventually fall for an artist (played by Prithviraj Sukumaran). Kundalkar’s breezy narrative and eccentric characters ensure you’re consistently interested and entertained through the film. But more importantly, Kundalkar, who has also helmed feel-good films such as Happy Journey and Gulabjaam, turns the very idea of women being objectified over its head in this film. In Aiyyaa, we get an insight into Meenakshi’s desires which she’s not afraid of admitting and this refreshing twist makes this film not only an interesting and entertaining watch but also an important one. But some couldn’t perhaps accept this alternative lens to a love story where a woman hopes to claim the man of her dreams. Consequently, the film went largely unnoticed, barring a few critics who hailed it as an audacious move. Mukherji completes Meenakshi with an eccentric-yet-adorable streak that was impossible to ignore. While Prithviraj’s role was largely peripheral to the central story, the actor seems to be aptly cast and Marathi actor Amey Wagh, who plays Meenakshi’s eccentric brother is a strong supporting hand too. The film, in all, packs a crazy ride and makes for a fun watch. You can catch Aiyyaa on numerous OTT platforms such as Netflix, Youtube, Jio, Google Play and iTunes.Alright, that’s the hidden gem for today on OTTplay Lost and Found. I shall be back with another podcast soon with a brand new film or show that you haven't watched yet. For now, it's your host Nikhil outta here.
