Synchron Entertainment’s Rabia And Olivia (English-Hindi) is the story of a special bond between a caretaker and her ward. Rabia (Nayab Khan) lives in Canada, having illegally immigrated there. She takes up the job of looking after nine-year-old Olivia (Helena Prinzen Klague) who suffers from anxiety disorder. The two develop such a fantastic bond between themselves that Olivia’s condition shows remarkable improvement. Soon, the caretaker-ward equation transforms into a mother-child equation.
Due to a shattering turn of events, Rabia is arrested one day in a case of child negligence, filed by Olivia’s father, Mark. What happens thereafter?
Shadab Khan has penned a heartfelt story. Shadab Khan and Yousef Sheikh’s screenplay is fairly engaging. But the drama does become boring at several points because it moves on a single track. Also, it becomes depressing, at places. The duo’s dialogues are average.
Nayab Khan does a fair job as Rabia. Helena Prinzen Klague is alright as Olivia. Sheeba Chadha has her moments as Rabia’s mother. Mustafa Sheikh lends average support as Moosa. Afroz Khan has his moments as Naserbhai. Shadab Khan is good as Ishaan.
Shadab Khan’s direction is so-so. At several places, the narrative becomes too predictable. Ripul Sharma’s lyrics and music are ordinary. George Joseph’s background music is average. Cinematography (Leonid Kogan and Pankaj Kachhawa) is eye-filling, like the locales. Production designing (by Yousef Sheikh) and art direction (by Sadia Khan) are appropriate. Prashant Panda’s editing is alright.
On the whole, Rabia And Olivia is an average fare with no face value.
Released on 24-2-’23 on Disney+ Hotstar.