It is directed by Anu Menon.
Grief makes people do terrible things while many figure out a way to tackle it without losing sanity. Waiting delves on that in an almost witty way but falls flat in its execution. Let us tell you how that happens.
What’s it about?
Shiv Natraja (Naseeruddin Shah) visits a hospital as a part of his regular routine as his wife Pankaja has been in a comatose state for eight months now. Doctor Nirupam Malhotra (Rajat Kapoor) has been trying to convince him that it’s time to let her go but Shiv’s belief in medical miracle is unwavering. One day, he meets Tara Deshpande, a newly-wed, whose husband meets with a fatal accident and is admitted in the same hospital. Grief forms an unlikely friendship between the two. But there are important decisions to take. Will they be able to do it?
What’s hot?
When a film boasts of Naseeruddin Shah in the cast, you are assured that you are going to experience the best doing what he does best, perform. It’s a privilege to watch this man act on the big screen. It’s so effortless that you are left with this feeling at the end, “why don’t we see more of him.” Lately, he has been part of such forgettable films that you start doubting if he is even serious about the craft and then you watch Waiting. Guess this is what we were waiting for. Same is the case with Kalki Koechlin. She is so convincing as a woman unsure what to expect from this tragedy that it is believable. There are moments which are applause worthy. Like how after Kalki rants about having so many followers on Twitter and none for real, Naseeruddin Shah calmly says, “So what’s the point?” You know he’s got a point. Or the instance where he explains the five stages of grief… they are so beautifully woven.
What’s not?
Unfortunately, the scenes you see in the trailer are the only highs of this film. It lacks drama or touch of sentiments. It’s a witty way of tackling grief but you will hardly feel the sorrow. The screenplay is so flat that it becomes tedious to watch after sometime. The humour also becomes repetitive after a few instances and emotions lack depth. Apart from a few scenes which are far and in between, the film struggles to hold your attention. Naseeruddin Shah’s confession to his comatose wife about him straying at one instance made no sense or Kalki’s outburst when she feels, for her friend she isn’t the topmost priority. The friend is married with a kid, what did you expect?
What to do?
Waiting deserves to be seen only for the stellar performances by Shah and Kalki. Rest is forgettable.
Reviewed by moumita bhattacharjee
* Poor
** Average
*** Good
**** Very good
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***** Excellent
Waiting movie review: Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin's brilliant performances are the only highlight of the film!
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