Starring: Kalki Koechlin, Revathy Menon, Hussain Dala, Sayani Gupta,Kuljit Singh
Co Directed: Shonali Bose & Nilesh Maniyar
Co Writers: Shonali Bose, Nilesh Maniyar & Atika Chohan (Hindi Dialogues)
Cinematographer: Anne Misawa
Co Producers: Shonali Bose, Nilesh Maniyar, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
There are two things that ‘Margharita with a Straw’ accomplishes brilliantly. The first is an under stated, credible portrayal of a feisty young woman living with cerebral palsy. The second is a straight forward emotional journey of it’s protagonist; one that navigates different human relationships to finally end on self-discovery.
‘Margharita With A Straw’ is Laila’s coming of age tale; (played by Kalki Koechlin) a pretty college student who does her best to not let cerebral palsy come in the way of leading a proper, happening life as a college student. She composes lyrics, makes music, yearns for a young rock singer, and explores her sexual desires by surfing the net & making out with her wheelchair bound childhood buddy. For all of Laila’s independence, her mother (Revathy Menon) is the foundation on which Laila rests her existence. Caring for her and yet raising her to lead life independently amidst people with normal faculties, her mother, father & young brother give her a regular family life.Predictably, Laila’s search for male attention takes a sad turn. She escapes a particular embarrassment by grabbing a chance to study at New York University. Here, with a new world of opportunities around her, Laila finds solace in the company of a blind activist (Sayani Gupta), Khanum. Both find same sex love, even as Laila still grapples with questions about her sexuaility. Life takes a definitive turn though, when her relationship with her mother gets affected.
The flaws of ‘Margharita With a Straw’ are in half-baked execution of certain scenes. Its soundtrack is pretty average.
But, it’s narrative doesn’t compromise it’s tenor- substantial butcharmingly light. Director Shonali Bose has witnessed cerebral palsy from close quarters. Perhaps that is why Laila’s condition is never once flaunted for its abnormalities. Challenges that she faces in day-to-day tasks like cooking eggs are used to show her regular battles. But Laila is refreshingly at ease with her condition at most times. While some portions of the narrative tend to jump the gun, it’s essentially a heartfelt and honest story. There in lies the film’s biggest charm. It’s honest & therefore, convincing. That Laila’s struggles to find her own self and her place in the world tends to be like that of any normal person (without physical disabilities) is engagingly established. Add to that, moments of humor in the film, despite a tear-jerking end, leave you feeling positive when you leave the theatre.
Kalki Koechlin has trained for this role and lived life in a wheel chair for 6 months to prepare for the film. And her effort visibly shows. In India, films around disabilities have exaggerated and nearly caricatured these difficulties. It’s a distasteful approach to these problems. As a country we hardly give a second thought to people who live with disabilities. Shonali Bose & Kalki have successfully made Laila come alive onscreen. She feels real & at times, even relatable. Full marks to Kalki for taking up this challenge. And she delivers with panache!
Revathy Menon delivers an outstanding performance as Laila’s mother; and Sayani Gupta both delivers the goods & commands solid screen presence. Hussain Dalal is winsome even with little screen time. The entire cast is subtle and credible.
In the end, ‘Margharita With A Straw’ does entertain you, and leaves you smiling. It makes you think too. It’s not garrulous, and it’s not overtly dramatic. It’s charming. It’s definitely worth a watch.
FINAL VERDICT
Ticket price Value: 75 Percent.
