Well done Abba - A Review

A "Well" Made Movie

This movie sort of sneaked up on me, while surfing the channels, it was a random pick...but happy I did. Starring stalwarts like Boman Irani, Rajit Kapoor (though in a small role), this unassuming movie sort of grows on you. Dealing with the problem of government mooted schemes which never reaches the common man, as the money gets siphoned off passing through the umpteen channels, what could have become a preachy self righteous movie, instead is a tongue-in-cheek, humour firmly in place story told in the impeccable style of Shyam Benegal. 

It is the story of a driver who goes on leave for a month to get his teenage daughter married but ends up staying there for three months to get a government sponsored well dug on his land and his trials and tribulations for the same, the corruption from top to bottom that he encounters. Apart from the major actors, there are a few small roles essayed by Ila Arun, Rajinder Gupta, which are well etched and form a good glue for the main story. All in all a wonderful depiction of the corrupt government machinery and the triumph of the common man using the same machinery without any chest-beating or tear drenched scenes. It is a story relevant to the day yet has a sheen of a classic. Wonderful movie, with well etched characters from the protagonist to the cameo, it is vintage Shyam Benegal. Do catch it if you can, either on telly or dvd.