Aachari Baa Review: Neena Gupta Shines in a Predictable Yet Heartfelt Tale of Loneliness and Bonds

Aachari Baa Review

After years, 65-year-old Jaishnavi visits her son’s Mumbai house but is left to look after their cat while the family is heading to Darjeeling. She develops relationships with the dog and the apartment tenants during her stay.

The modest film “Aachari Baa” explores subjects including women’s empowerment, parental negligence, and the loneliness of an elderly widow. Although these problems are pertinent, the formula and storyline fall short in engaging us. The movie uses well-known clichés: a son calls his mother who lives in a rural area to his metropolitan house, where she finds adjustment difficult. Though it only runs in bits, this drama is too cleaned-up to provide anything novel. Though its emotional core is strong, it lacks the depth required to have an impression.

The narrative centres on 65-year-old Jaishnavi (Neena Gupta), who makes pickles in a small Gujarat town for her living. She bonds strongly with her colleagues, who to her are like family. She last saw her son, Ketan (Vatsal Seth), now settled in Mumbai more than ten years ago. She is therefore both shocked and happy when he offers her to stay at his house. She is surprised to discover, though, that the family is heading for a trip to Darjeeling and she will be looking after their pet dog, Jenny. She first struggles, then develops a relationship with Jenny and the apartment neighbours. When she unintentionally feeds the dog chocolate and pickles, society secretary Brijesh Malhotra (Kabir Bedi) intervenes to assist in vet search. The community gathers to help her as she reveals her ability to make pickles, creating fresh friendships along the road.

This movie covers ground we know and presents nothing we have not seen before. It centres on an independent elderly woman whose relationship with her son is strained, nearly non-existent, It also emphasises how, in small communities, friendships among neighbours sometimes feel more powerful than familial bonds. Though filmmaker Hardik Gajjar performs the triple roles of storyteller, screenwriter, and director, the weight of these obligations seems to have impacted the film. The narrative sometimes veers into too sweet territory, and the forced use of Gen Z terminology seems out of line. Strong confrontation sequences missing from the narrative compromises important turning points. As the son, Vatsal Seth is assigned just minimal more than keyboard typing. Should the movie have looked at the causes of the mother-son distance, it would have given the story much-needed complexity.

As Aachari Baa, Neena Gupta gives a lively and natural performance; unfortunately, a one-dimensional storyline limits her ability for surprises. As her son Ketan, Vatsal Seth plays nothing to add. As society secretary Brijesh Malhotra, Kabir Bedi presents a sincere performance even though his character hardly links with the central story.

The movie shines especially in Rapar, a small Gujarat town, where Baa’s friendship with the women who assist her in making pickles and the always devoted Kanu Bhai feels real and pleasant. Their interactions come across as real, earthy appeal. Once the action moves to Mumbai, though, it loses steam depending on cliches and formulaic storyline. With their mix of folk, the tunes have some entertainment worth. The movie ultimately seems overly cleaned-up to have any impact.

Discover amazing movie trivia and facts about your favorite films, behind-the-scenes secrets, and hidden details at Films and Facts!