- This film has right mix of comedy, romance, political satire, thought-provoking dialogues and sugar-coated pills for all to digest as a family together
- To drive home the message of Shravan Kumar’s sacrifice among the new generation and the powers-that-be, writer-director-producer-turned sociopreneur Manish Saini has presented a novel concept in his inimical way
- It is a must watch, wholesome family entertainer with moral values
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
In the land of Shravan Kumar, old age homes have been coming up in every nook and corner to take care of senior citizens and super senior citizens. Present generation has no empathy or time to take care of their parents in their evening of lives. With the advancement in healthcare, their longevity has increased so is their needs.
According to the National Population Commission, the senior citizens and super senior citizens comprise more than 15% of the population, but a majority of them are without social security or pension benefits. This is a big blot on the nation, which is claiming to be a welfare state. Even a court verdict says that “pension was not a charity but a right of senior citizens for a dignified life”. a universal pension scheme, which is non-contributory is need of the hour. The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is a pension that does not require contributions but it is meant for BPL people.
To drive home the message of Shravan Kumar’s sacrifice among the new generation and the powers-that-be, writer-director-producer-turned sociopreneur Manish Saini has presented a novel concept in his inimical way in ‘Jai Mataji-Let’s Rock’. This film has right mix of comedy, romance, political satire, thought-provoking dialogues and sugar-coated pills for all to digest as a family together. What is commendable in this film is that all actors have given their best and lived as the characters as per the visualisation of the director.
The state government announces Rs one lakh monthly pension for super senior citizens, all those 80 and above age. This scheme turns the life of Surajmukhi Devi. 80, played by debutant Neela Mulherkar, into topsy-turvy. Aiming to grab this pension, her elder son Shravan Kumar (Tiku Talsania) takes her back from the old age home where she was sent a year ago and the younger son Gulab (Shekhar Shukla) also vies for the pension. The octogenarian has her own ideas to avenge the tantrums of her daughters-in-law.
Grandmas are fountain of love and treasure-trove of knowledge. Surajmukhi Devi’s grandson (Malhar Thakkar) expresses his fondness and affinity for granny by way of his actions and helping nature. Through Shravan Kumar, the director shows how the govt schemes are like mirage and the babudom rules the roost.
Supporting actors Vandana Pathak and Shilpa Thakar as daughters-in-law, Vyoma Nandi, Aryan Prajapati, Utkarsh Majumdar have done their role well.
Love is eternal and there is no age bar for romance has been excellently portrayed through the wedding of the octogenarian with her childhood friend at this ripe age.
India has rich tradition and culture of respecting elders and taking care of them well in their evening of life by keeping them with the family and old age homes are no boons. Some policy decision of giving non-contributory pension to super senior citizens will help maintain the age-old Indian tradition alive. Director Manish Saini deserves the much-needed pat for taking up the nagging social issues and making bold attempt to transform the society at large through the medium of cinema.
In a nutshell, ‘Jai Mataji – Let’s Rock’ is a must watch, wholesome family entertainer with moral values.
CAST
Malhar Thakar, Tiku Talsania, Shekhar Shukla, Neela Mulhekar, Vandana Pathak, Vyoma Nandi, Aryan Prajapati, Utkarsh Majumdar, and Shilpa Thakar
CREW
Writer, Director, Editor and Co-Producer: Manish Saini
Produced By: Kajal Vadodaria, Siddharth Vadodaria, Ravindra Sanghvi, Manish Saini
Music: Parth Pandya and Achint Thakkar
