Armaan Ali the lovable, simpleton played by Boman Irani in this movie is someone I see everyday. His endearing Hyderabadi Hindi/Urdu, his mannerisms, pious and sincere nature are similar to the many drivers, helpers, shopkeepers that I come across in Hyderabad.
So the hilarious story of the reason why Armaan disappears for 3 months from his job as a driver in Mumbai is extremely real and believable. Of course, being a Shyam Benegal film, it captures the reality of heartbreak that is part of the daily lives of people in small towns in minute detail. Armaan gets into a scheme that allots him money for digging a well on his property. Burdened with a good-for-nothing twin brother and his wife, a spunky daughter Muskan (played by Minisha Lamba) and barren lands, he earnestly follows the directions of the corrupt officials right from the sarpanch's husband, the district officer, engineer and even the photographer to get his due. He is left with nothing to show since all the money disbursed to him goes to grease the palms of the bureaucracy.
Then comes the turning point at which Muskan comes to the father's rescue in securing the well that rightfully belongs to them by filing a complaint of a "missing well" with the police. The movie then takes an interesting turn as all the individuals involved in the scam have to explain the missing well. Muskan's love story with Arif is a parallel track which is handled with finesse. The movie is great fun to watch with fantastic understated performances by all the actors. The scenes reflect small town contemporary India and the problems faced by simple folks. The movie totally belongs to Boman Irani as he steals every scene with his mannerisms, his language and most importantly, his humanity.
I highly recommend this movie for all movie watchers, whether you live in Hyderabad or not.
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