Anand Shukla Productions’ Life Is Good is the story of the bond of friendship between a middle-aged man and a young girl.
Rameshwar (Jackie Shroff) is depressed after his mother’s demise. He is single and so thoroughly bored that he decides to end his life. However, he meets six-year-old Mishti (Saniya) whose zest for life changes Rameshwar’s life. The unlikely friends bond so beautifully that their friendship blossoms through the years. Finally, the grown-up Mishti (Ankita) falls in love with Manav (Nakul Sahdev). Mishti’s guardian (her maternal aunt, Reema) and Rameshwar get Mishti and Manav married. The couple shifts to Chicago but keeps in touch with Rameshwar. Then, one day, Rameshwar gets such a terrible news that he slips into depression. What’s the bad news? How does Rameshwar come out of the depression.
Sujit Sen has written a very predictable story. There’s absolutely nothing in the story which is novel. Ananth Narayan Mahadevan, Varsha Jain and Ravi Mahadevan’s screenplay is clichéd to the core. Nothing really stands out in the drama because there are simply no surprises or shocks. Even the climax is routine. Light moments are few and far between. Emotions fail to touch the heart. The trio’s dialogues are routine.
Jackie Shroff does well as Rameshwar. Saniya acts ably as the six-year-old Mishti. Ananya Vij is okay as the 13-year-old Mishti. Ankita does a fair job as the grown-up Mishti. Nakul Sahdev is alright as Manav. Sunita Sengupta lends fine support as Mishti’s guardian, Reema. Rajit Kapur has his moments as sub-post master Naval Kishore. Mohan Kapur is so-so as Mishti’s father. Darshan Jariwala (in a tiny role as Peepu uncle) and Sanand Varma (as the peon) provide average support.
Ananth Narayan Mahadevan’s direction is routine but his editing is reasonably sharp. Abhishek Ray’s music is fair. Lyrics (by Manvendra and Nivedita Joshi) are alright. Ajit Varman’s background music is quite nice. Alphonse Roy’s camerawork is good. R. Varman’s art direction is average.
On the whole, Life Is Good is such a routine fare that it will prove to be a non-starter. It has taken many years to reach the cinemas — and this shows in the film.
Released on 9-12-’22 at PVR Lower Parel (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Angels Dream Entertainment. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.