Saand Ki Aankh Movie Review, Release Date, Star Cast, Story

Saand Ki Aankh Movie Release Date:

25th October, 2019

Saand Ki Aankh Star Cast:

Taapsee Pannu as Prakashi Tomar

Bhumi Pednekar as Chandro Tomar

Prakash Jha as Sarpanch Ratan Singh Tomar

Vineet Kumar Singh as Dr. Yashpal

Pawan Chopra as Jai Singh

Pritha Bakshi as Seema Tomar

Sara Arjun as Shefali Tomar

Himanshu Sharma as Sachin Tomar

Shaad Randhawa as Rambir Tomar

Navneet Srivastava as Farooq

Dinesh Mohan as Maharaja of Alwar

Nikhat Khan as Mehendra Kumari- Mahara

Saand Ki Aankh Movie Review:

Aamir Khan’s historical TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ introduced the audience to many real-life heroes who were unknown at that time. Two of the most memorable guests of this series were ‘Revolver Dadi’, i.e. Chandro and Prakashi Tomar. Tusshar Hiranandani, for his directorial debut Saand Ki Aankh, decides to adapt his story on celluloid. So does Saand Ki Aankh manage to convince and entertain the audience? Or have the makers failed to do justice? Let’s analyze.

Saand Ki Aankh is the story of two women who find their calling in their 60s. The year is 1999. Chandro Tomar (Bhumi Pednekar) and Prakashi Tomar (Taapsee Pannu) are sisters-in-law living under one roof with their respective wives, strict and conservative brother-in-law Ratan Singh (Prakash Jha) and their children. In Johri village of Uttar Pradesh. Both have crossed the age of 60 and although they had the desire to do something meaningful in their lives, they were not allowed to do so due to the pressures of the patriarchal society. One day, Dr. Yashpal (Vineet Kumar) returns to the jeweler. He leaves his medical profession and starts his own shooting range. Chandro’s daughter Shefali (Sara Arjun) expresses interest in practicing shooting but Ratan categorically refuses permission. Still, Chandro takes Shefali to the limit. Without much thought, Chandro also tries her hand and surprisingly, she hits a bullseye! Yashpal asks her to try a few more times and she learns that Chandro is a supporter. Later, Prakashi joins in and even becomes an expert marksman! Yashpal encourages them to hone their skills at his shooting range and later, asks them to participate in a shooting competition held in Chandigarh. Grandmothers have never stepped out of their village in their lives. So, they get apprehensive at first but still they agree. They cleverly fool their husbands and Ratan and go to the competition where Prakashi comes first and Chandro comes second. In no time, they easily win several tournaments, as well as create various stories to tell their spouses. However, a time soon comes when the Tomar sisters are forced to tell the truth to Ratan. What happens next becomes the rest of the film.

Balwinder Januja’s story is very promising and inspiring. It not only tells the audience about the lives of Chandro and Prakashi Tomar, but also gives a critical commentary about the evils of the patriarchal society and the lack of awareness about population control. Balwinder Januja’s script is captivating in most parts but could have been better in the beginning and pre-climax of the flashback portion. Jagdeep Singhu’s dialogues are acidic and sharp.

Tushar Hiranandani’s direction is good enough for a first-timer and he has control of the writing material in hand. He tries his best to make it as entertaining and mainstream as possible. Also he scores as the grandmothers struggle on the emotional front and the way she is slammed by the male members of the family can leave the audiences stunned. On the other hand, he should have kept the period under control. The last 15-20 minutes could have been better emotionally as the scene before the finale is very good.

Saand Ki Aankh starts on an interesting note and the entry of Chandro and Prakashi brings a smile to one’s face. Flashback works in part. In fact, the entire first half though tempting, doesn’t really go high. There is not enough drama or tension in this time as Dadi is easily able to practice and even go to Chandigarh without doubting the men. The best part of the first half is the Chandigarh contest and how both the women silence their opponents. Even after the interval, the tension does not build up to a certain point. Still, the second part is better because there are some very sweet moments. One of the most touching scenes here is when Chandro and Prakashi mistakenly mistook the finger bowl for hot lime water and hugged it. Maharani (Nikhat Khan) doesn’t want Dadis to be humiliated for their gestures and hence, she does the same! Even the jugaadu disco light put up by the grandmothers in their house in the song ‘Baby Gold’ is lovely. The scene of the confrontation between Dadis and Ratan Singh is exhilarating. One expects the film to end here, but it goes on for 20 minutes as the film focuses on Shefali and Seema’s attempt to become shooters. This track too has its moments but the film falls flat in this said scene after the high-voltage collision scene. The film ends on an emotional note.

Saand Ki Aankh undoubtedly belongs to Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar. It’s important to note that they don’t actually look that old, but both make up for this through their performances. Taapsee is relaxed and the way she breaks into a sly smile when her plan to fool the men succeeds is great. Although she gives her best in the last part of the film. Bhumi also gives her best and her body language is spot-on. Also his efforts to learn English will be made a laughing stock in theatres. However, in some scenes, she gets suppressed by Taapsee. Vineet Kumar is lovely and will be loved in the role of the man who acts as a catalyst in the journey of ‘Revolver Dadi’. From his dialogue delivery to his expressions, he keeps his acting perfect. Prakash Jha is very confident in what can be called a negative role and no one can help but hate him from beginning to end! Shaad Randhawa makes his appearance in the second half of the film. Nikhat Khan as Maharani is lovely and she is a part of some of the most important scenes in the film. Sara Arjun has great screen presence and she does well. Yogendra Singh (young Ratan Singh) is apt. SK Batra (IG Jaidev), Pawan Chopra (Jai Singh Tomar), Kuldeep Sarin (Bhanwar Singh Tomar), Pritha Bakshi (Seema) and Himanshu Sharma (Sachin) also put on their best.

Vishal Mishra’s music is circumstantial and works well, but only as a part of this film. ‘Udta Teeter’ is hilarious. ‘Womania’ shows up at the end and is memorable as the real Chandro and Prakashi Tomar are also in the track. Heart touching and well sung by Asha Bhosle ‘Aasma’. ‘Baby Gold’ and ‘Jhunna Jhunna’ have catchy tunes and are shot properly. Advait Nemlekar’s background score gives a commercial feel.

Sudhakar Reddy Yakanti’s cinematography is superb, especially in the shooting sequences. The camera moves in such a way that it adds to the drama. Also watch out for a scene where the all-important movements of the characters are captured in that rear-view mirror of the motorbike. Ravi Srivastava’s production design is authentic. The fact that it was shot in the village of the Tomar sisters also adds to the authenticity. Rohit Chaturvedi’s costumes are straight out of life. Sunil Rodrigues’s action matches well with the film. The VFX of Rajeev K Rastogi is rich. Devendra Murdeshwar’s editing is clean but could have been tighter in the second half.

Overall, Saand Ki Aankh is based on an inspiring story and stellar performances by Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar. At the box office, however, it will need a strong word of mouth to survive the competition in the form of Housefull 4 and Made in China.