Super Nani Movie Review: Rekha Is Indeed Super

It is always a super sight to see Rekha on screen. And then when she makes a full-fledged return to the big screen in an author backed role, it is a matter of further delight. No wonder, Super Nani made for a much awaited watch, especially due to the lady in there who has been around for over four decades and never failed to charm.

The film starts off well and you do get a hang of the proceedings as Rekha, in complete 70s style, goes about her melodramatic ways. The title rolls are in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi style as everyone from Rekha's husband (Randhir Kapoor), son (Rajesh Kumar), daughter-in-law (Shreya Narayan) and daughter (Anchal Dwivedi) are introduced. While she cares for them all, for the family members she is someone who is just incidental and not really worthy enough of one single decent conversation. For her grand-son (Sharman Joshi) this is unacceptable and he goes about putting things in place.

In this entire stage setting, there are certain unbelievable aspects of Super Nani that make one wonder how they could have been placed in the first place. Despite a mansion like setting with Randhir Kapoor being a CEO no less, there is just a single help in the house and it is Rekha who is shown to be running errands a la Deepa Sahi in Hum. Her family members are definitely mean and one could digest that as well. However, the way they go about insulting Rekha for the flimsiest of reasons is plain erratic. Agreed that a film like this had to be over the top but in the name of drama, a few episodes get over-dramatic.

On the other the solution is over simplified. Sharman finds the model in Rekha in a jiffy. Her comfort to get into the skin of the character is almost instant, even though it is justified that she has a stage background. Her makeover is as easy as it gets and her rise to the top of stardom inside a year is stuff that dreams are made of. Moreover, Rekha is in and out of her house at will which appears disjointed at many places.

Still, what makes Super Nani watchable is the fact there are ample heart-warming moments interspersed by director Indra Kumar. Rekha brings in just the right emotions when humiliated and her change in persona on gaining a high in her personal and professional life makes one smile. Of course she looks gorgeous post her make over which reminds one of Khoon Bhari Maang. Her comic timing is perfect as well and one misses her more than ever before in these scenes. Meanwhile Sharman is her perfect partner in these episodes and he brings in good laughter too.

Thankfully, the drama never turns heavy and there is humor interspersed every now and then. The way she goes about setting right her family members have a comical tone to it which brings in the right entertainment quotient. In fact one expected this very aspect to stay on till the final act when Randhir Kapoor realizes her true worth. However, it turns into a Baghban kind of set up at this very point which could have been dealt with better.

Amongst actors, except for Rekha everyone is required to be loud due to the film's theater like setting. Randhir Kapoor does well. Sharman Joshi, at places, reminds of his 3 Idiots act. Rajesh Kumar is appropriate. Shreya Narayan brings on laughs. Anchal Dwivedi tries hard. Anupam Kher in a small role manages to make one chuckle at a few places. As Sharman's leading lady, Shweta Kumar is photogenic and is an able companion.

As for Rekha, it is this very aspect of seeing the lady glow again on screens that makes Super Nani a nostalgic watch. Of course with a much tighter narrative and a more contemporary treatment, this Indra Kumar affair could have made for an even more exciting watch. Still, the very fact that the lady is back is something that makes one go though the proceedings for a film that has a running length of over two hours.