The ingredients were very strong, like the concept is very good where it tells us about the unexpressed love between a parent and a child and that is even beautifully showcased through songs with powerful words by Irshad Kamil but then Leena Yadav lacked some expert cooking skills making this Rajma Chawal not exceptionally relishing. I won’t say I did not enjoy Rajma Chawal at all but the tastelessness was experienced through out the film. The kind of words used in the dialogues like ‘totta’, ‘sanskari flirt’ or a man casually carrying a gun to a pub all these things are typical Delhi which I quite enjoyed in the film. All the characters in the film gave me a certain image of the city which I enjoyed. I have never been to Delhi so whatever I saw in the film was like being in that place. One thing in which Leena Yadav hits the bulls eye is capturing the essence of Delhi. I don’t know if any other actor in his place would have made it any better for the film as the entire film lacked the required seriousness.
His anger on his father was not convincing enough for us to feel how wrong he is in understanding his father nor was his love convincing enough for us to root for him to get his love.
The kind of emotions this character carried he just could not express it the way they were suppose to. I was completely disappointed by Anirudh Tanwar, he looked very blank throughout the film. I quite enjoyed the Amyra Dastur just for the fact that she plays her part with much conviction and whatever little work she has done previously this is different from that. I loved the expressions on his face when he goes to buy a smartphone, his struggle to understand social media but then when it came to becoming emotional he did his best what was required for the scene but by the time we could feel his emotions they could reach us they vanish on their way. There is no doubt how amazing an actor Rishi Kapoor is which makes us love him instantly in Rajma Chawal. The only character with whom I didn’t really connect well but totally enjoyed is Rishi Kapoor. So despite being so relevant the entire film lacks the soul which otherwise could have made the connect with the film very strong. You don’t see the real struggle Anirudh goes through to become this successful singer. Rishi Kapoor and Anirudh Tanwar play father and son who share this complicated relation but even their insecurities or helplessness to improve their relation does not come out effortlessly. I mean you can see that the spark in every emotion is missing. I mean one thoroughly enjoys the initial Facebook chat session but when it comes to portraying family emotions it lacks the required strength. Rajma Chawal is a mixture of all of this but the required depth in each of the track is missing. There is also a love story with a twist and obviously with a happy ending. Along with this Leena gives us some typical family moments where in two people talk about their regrets and wrong decisions taken by them in past. We also get to see the not so hard journey of Anirudh achieving his dream of becoming singer. From this humorous chat we move on to nostalgia where Anirudh Tanwar recollects his childhood memories spent in old Delhi where he has recently shifted against his wish. Initially the film looked liked it is going to be only about this unusual Facebook chat between a father and a son but then there is a lot more to it.
I liked how creative were the writers of the film who used social media as a tool to bridge the communication gap between a father and a son and make their bond as it should be. Story of Rajma Chawal is very relevant but it’s cinematic representation may not go well with everyone. No, I don’t like to eat Rajma Chawal at all but this film had something in it that made me like it and instantly connect with it. This film may be problematic for many of us in many ways but I think I am an exception who enjoyed Rajma Chawal despite its issues. I can finally say that I have found my guilty pleasure in Rajma Chawal.