Saregama India Ltd. and Yoodlee Films’ Chote Nawab (A) is the story of the coming of age of a 13-year-old.
Thirteen-year-old Junaid, raised in the UK, visits his Nawabi haveli in Lucknow for a family wedding. There’s, obviously, a family reunion. The young Junaid falls in love while in Lucknow, and then has a heart-break too. Slowly but surely, Junaid realises that the Nawabi patriarchy is not for him. What happens thereafter?
Arshad Jafri has written a routine story and screenplay, both of which are devoid of novelty. The drama is mostly lacklustre. Gaurav Sharma’s dialogues don’t add much to the proceedings.
Plabita Borthakur does an average job. Svar Kamble is so-so. Akshay Oberoi performs ably. Shataf Figar is ordinary. Ekavali Khanna lends decent support. Rajshree Deshpande has her moments. Falaq Naaz is alright. Sadiya Siddiqui makes her presence felt. Lalit Tiwari is adequate. Sohaila Kapur is okay. Ayush Tandon’s acting is quite nice. Neeraj Sood leaves a mark.
Kumud Chaudhary’s direction is below the mark. Indian Ocean and Anshuman Mukherjee’s music is fair. Sanjeev Sharma Vayu’s lyrics are okay. Uma-Gaiti’s choreography is nothing to shout about. Mangesh Dhakde’s background music hardly deserves separate mention. Arun Varma’s camerawork is average. Tariq Umar Khan’s production designing is so-so. Afzal Sirajuddin Shaikh’s editing leaves something to be desired.
On the whole, Chote Nawab is a flop show.
Released on 23-2-’24 at Maxus Bhayandar (daily 1 show) of Bombay thru Match Box Films. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over.