WELL DONE ABBA
A typical ‘middle cinema’ flag bearer that maintains a fine level of wit, insight and is backed by brilliant performances.
by Vishal Verma

A Reliance Big Pictures presentation, release and production. 

Producers: Reliance Big pictures
Writer-Director: Shyam Benegal
Genre: social (satire political)
Target Audience: General

Inspired by two short stories, NARSAIYYAN KI BAVDI by Jeelani Bano and Sanjeev's PHULWA KA PUL


Starring

Boman Irani...... Arman Ali / Rehman Ali
Minissha Lamba...... Muskaan Ali
Sameer Dattani...... Arif Ali
Ravi Kissen…………. Engineeer Jha
Ila Arun...... Salma Ali
Salim Ghouse………….Baliama (village sarpanch’s) husband
Sonali Kulkarni……….Jha’s wife
Rajit Kapoor...... Inspector Srikant Reddy
Yashpal Sharma……………..sub inspector
Ravi Jhankal……………………………..sub inspector



Technical Analysis

Shyam Benegal – the pioneer of ‘middle cinema’ does it again. ‘Well Done Abba’ is a double whammy. after the success of ‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’ Shyam in this light heartner, again uses strong intelligent repartee rather than the usual buffoonery and slapstick prevalent in many bollywood comedies giving us a major relief once again.

Shyam Benegals ‘Well Done Abba’ is more deep in its satire and comment and less cinematic then ‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’ but this flaw doesn,t stop ‘Well Done Abba’ from being a standout, that’s the quality of a genius – there can be a flaw but still you maintain your brilliance. The prolific veteran provides Big pictures it’s another potential earner after the super mighty success of ‘3 Idiots’.

Maintaining the ‘middle cinema’ pattern, Shyam in ‘Well Done Abba’ succeeds in bringing lightheartedness in the social comment without going for the over the top speech and yet succeeds in lending distinction to the film by developing personalities out of minor characters.

Satires are rare species in Bollywood film, ‘Well Done Abba’ is a rare and subtle bird that finds its tone and stays with it. The movie is a mirror of the system we dwell in the red tapism babugiri, bureaucracy we find in our country/state politics. Shyam Benegal makes no bones about his comment, the movie is well written backed by excellent dialogues like ‘ mujhe makaron se dar nahin lagta’ ( I don,t fear dishonest people) and the preachment is strong. Highlighting the water crises. 

Boman Irani gives one of his finest portrayals as a Hyderabadi, mind you his physic and appearance doesn,t give the impression of a driver but from his mannerisms and smart guidance from the master helmer Shyam, Boman overcomes the hurdle very easily and carries the film above his able shoulders in the duo role of a honest driver and a chalu brother and raises his bar as a marvelous actor. Minissha Lamba proves that she is not just a glam doll and the girl can act and act wonderfully. Minissha Lamba’s role as Muskan will remain the highlight of her career for long. Sameer Dattani also impresses while Ravi Kishen as the newlywed despo engineer is enjoyable.

Ila Arun, Salim Ghouse, Rajit Kapoor chip in with valuable support.
On whole this film maintains a fine level of wit, and insight.

Technically the movie is brilliant; Cinematography by Rajan Kothari is up to mark. The location is apt. Aseem Sinha’s editing is sharp, Sound by Hitendra Ghosh and Manas Chaudhary is according to the mood of the film. Production values are first rate. Music by Shantanu Moitra is another highlight. ,’Bano badi hoshiyar’sung by Illa Arun has the potential to hit the popularity charts and it reminds of Delhi 6 ‘Genda Phool’.

But the film is not away from its flaws like the human trafficking episode involving the Arab Sheikhs is out of place from the track. The movie drags in the end. It’s disappointing to see talents such as Sonali Kulkarni, Yashpal Sharma and especially Ravi Jhankal who gave such a marvelous performance in Shyam’s ‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’ as an eunuch being wasted.
The movie scores 4 out of 5



The Story

Inspired by two short stories, NARSAIYYAN KI BAVDI by Jeelani Bano and Sanjeev's PHULWA KA PUL, Well Done Abba is the story of Armaan Ali (Boman), a driver working for a Senior Executive in Mumbai, who goes on leave. He wants to find a match for his teenage daughter (Minisha), who stays with his brother Rehman Ali and his wife Salma(Illa Arun). When Armaan returns to work after 3 months his young employer wants to sack him.

 But Armaan Ali has a story to tell. The story he tells is a humorous and often hilarious account of the events and happenings that delayed him from returning after a month. He avails a government scheme to dig a well in his agricultural patch. Things spiral out of control so much so that the Government is about to collapse! The question remains, how true is this compelling story!

The film is a political satire that veers from the farcical to the often witty and sharp but largely ironic comedy without losing sight of its control theme that deals with the many development projects that the government has initiated which frequently get hijacked by systemic corruption.



Promotion

The movie has already appeared in festivals and its tour promotions are generating the required buzz.
The music especially ‘Bano badi hoshiyar’ has the potential to grow by word of mouth and can increase films prospects.

Media awareness by Imagesmiths has been apt.



Business Analysis

Maintaining a fine level of wit, and insight, Andhra based ‘Well Done Abba’ is a meaningful cinema that by its low cost and high values and hyderabadi accent can reap in major harvest from south territories like Nizam. And should end as an earner for Big Pictures.



Other Credits

Executive Producer / Co-Producer: Raj Pius, Mahesh Ramanathan and Rajesh Sawhney. Cassettes and CD's on T-Series. Singers: Ila Arun, Daniel B George, Mohit Chauhan, Swanand Kirkire, Shreya Ghoshal, Rupankar and Raja Hasan. Lyricist: Ila Arun, Ashok Mishra, Swanand Kirkire. Music Director: Shantanu Moitra. Cinematography: Rajan Kothari. Editor: Aseem Sinha. Screenplay: Ashok Mishra. Sound: Hitendra Ghosh and Manas Chaudhary. Dialogue: Ashok Mishra. Costume: Pia Benegal. Media Awareness: Imagesmiths. Reviewed at Famous studios Preview screening on March 25, 2010.

Indianmotionpictures.com is striving to present the most thorough review database. We do not currently list below-the-line credits, although we hope to include them in the future. Please note we may not respond to every suggestion. Your assistance is appreciated