Sony Pictures Releasing International, Treetop Entertainment and Benchmark Pictures’ 102 Not Out is the story of a 102-year-old man and his 75-year-old son.
Dattatraya Vakharia (Amitabh Bachchan) is a 102-year-old man, full of zest and keen on breaking the record of a Chinese as the oldest living man. His son, Babulal Vakharia (Rishi Kapoor), is 75 years old. Quite unlike Dattatraya, Babulal is dull and disinterested in life.
One day, Dattatraya threatens to send son Babulal to an old-age home. This petrifies Babulal because he is averse to change of any kind. Dattatraya then asks Babulal to accept challenges thrown by him. If Babulal is willing to take up the challenges and if he completes the tasks given to him by Dattatraya, he can avoid going to the home for the aged.
Dattatraya’s plan to shake his son out of the monotonous lifestyle is deeper than it appears. Why does the 102-year-old father want his 75-year-old son to reform?
Saumya Joshi has adapted his own stage-play of the same title. His story is quite novel and not just because it is the story of a father and his son but also because they both are very old and for a variety of other reasons. The story is interesting and engaging but the best part is that it has a very bold message too. The screenplay, also penned by Saumya Joshi, is excellently written. The first half is light-hearted and evokes laughter and smiles at a number of places. However, the post-interval portion takes a more serious, dramatic and emotional turn. The drama in the second half could make the weak-hearted cry buckets. Many others may not cry a lot but they would definitley find their eyes moist in a couple of scenes. The strong-hearted may not end up in tears but they’d definitely feel a lump in their throats. Although the second half is more serious, it does have its share of light moments too. Another good point about the screenplay is that everybody would be able to identify with the drama – things shown in the film would have happened in one’s family, or the family/ies of a relative, friend or acquaintance. There are a number of clap-trap scenes in the film, especially after interval. The climax is splendid and will evoke a loud round of applause – and that would be a conclusive proof that the audience is with the characters and the story. Saumya Joshi’s dialogues are gems and go straight to the heart. Three dialogues which stand out are: the one in which Dattatraya compares the reason for Babulal’s wife forgetting people with that for Babulal’s son forgetting people; the one in which Dattatraya vows to not allow Babulal’s son to defeat his own (Dattatraya’s) son (that is, Babulal); and the one in which Babulal gives his son the final order at the airport.
Amitabh Bachchan is outstanding in the role of the energetic 102-year-old. He plays the character of Dattatraya Vakharia with such conviction that he makes the drama oh so believable. Whether it is the humorous scenes or the dramatic ones, he is absolutely first-rate in each of them. In the emotional scenes, his acting is, of course, simply terrific. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Bachchan picked up awards for his acting in this film. Rishi Kapoor is truly remarkable as the 75-year-old Babulal. He is so natural that one can’t help but sing his praises. His facial expressions and his body language are to die for. If he is cute as the old man with no zing in his life, he is endearing as the man who pines to meet his son and whose heart melts at the very mention of his son’s name. Rishi Kapoor, too, could easily pick up awards for his performance. A word here about the chemistry between Bachchan and Kapoor: it is extraordinary. Jimmit Trivedi stands his own in the role of Dhiru, that too, in front of two acting legends, Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. Jimmit’s acting is very real. Dharmendra Gohil makes his presence felt as Babulal’s son, Amol. Others lend the necessary support.
Umesh Shukla’s direction is marvellous. His narrative style is very different because although the film speaks about at least five more members of the Vakharia family (Amol, his wife, their two kids, and Babulal’s wife), it shows only two Vakharias (Dattatraya and Babulal) for the major part of the drama. In other words, the characteristics and profiles of the other Vakharias, mainly Amol, his wife and Babulal’s wife, are brought out beautifully mostly through dialogues mouthed by Dattatraya. Music (Salim-Sulaiman) goes well with the film’s mood. The ‘Badumbaa’ song is popular too. Lyrics are appropriate. George Joseph’s background music is very nice. Laxman Utekar’s cinematography deserves special mention as it captures the mood and the emotions very effectively. Bodhaditya Banerjee’s editing is sharp.
On the whole, 102 Not Out is a hit. It has entertainment and it has a message – and that’s a pretty good combination. It will be loved by the ladies, families and the elderly audience, of course, but it will also be gradually lapped up by youngsters. The strong positive word of mouth would actually ensure a big jump in collections during the weekend and would even make the film a richly paying proposal.