Single Salma Movie Review:
At a time when popular Hindi cinema has mainly been reduced to flashy, spectacle-ridden or profusely provocative stories, it often feels like a relief to see lighter films making it to the theatres. Especially when recall value has taken precedence in bankrolling films, giving rise to universes, cameos and franchises. A long-forgotten film that came out more than a decade ago may suddenly rise up with a sequel. A classic tune enshrined in public memory could be revamped into a party song with electronic beats and auto-tune. At such a juncture, Huma Qureshi’s Single Salma might just seem like a refreshing feat with a female protagonist at the center. It might just take us back to the charm of small town, middle-class stories. Only, it doesn’t.
On face value, the film has a familiar quirk and warmth of an early 2010s rom-com gone wrong. It tells the story of a hardworking woman in her thirties, Salma Rizvi (Huma), who is the sole breadwinner in her family of ex-Nawabs of Lucknow. Salma took up responsibilities early-on, helped in marrying away her sisters while not getting the time to make her own life. On her mother’s constant insistence to get married, she agrees to meet other men of her age. That’s when she comes across the flamboyant Sikandar (Shreyas Talpade), who also happens to be the narrator of the film. The two bond over the common thread of having spent their life riddled with responsibilities and decide to get married. However, before that can happen, Salma has to go on a work trip to London where she develops feelings for the free-spirited, Meet (Sunny Singh).
Starring: Huma Qureshi, Shreyas Talpade and Sunny Singh
Directed by: Nachiket Samant
Single Salma, however, is no Queen (2014). Kangana Ranaut’s moving, playful journey in the Vikas Bahl film brought in a genuine liking towards the protagonist, Rani; she was going alone to Europe not to make a point but just to sway away her guards. There was an organic flavour to her adult coming-of-age; her charming innocence became a medium to navigate a foreign country with her Indian middle-class values. Salma, however, has little charm as a protagonist. Her journey adds little value to the story other than just ticking away all plot points. It is difficult to root for her through all that she goes through, especially because the film itself lacks conviction, making her presence in the story feel awkward. She becomes a colourless character, with no traits that make her stand out.
Writers Amina Khan and Ravi Kumar instill a generic finding-yourself arc to her story. There are structural issues in the screenplay as well which operates without a well-established conflict and goal. Everything just feels too concocted, designed only to move towards a specific point without a natural progression. At one moment, a wedding song has just ended and right in the next scene, there’s talk of Salma suddenly wanting to go to London. It is just all too convenient. The film still emulates a sense of feel-good vibe through the well-placed visuals and some stray attempts at humour. It is just not as sharp-witted or warm to make for an effective experience. The sentiment of the makers doesn’t quite translate into scenes, which are filled with gags that go nowhere and emotions that are left hanging.
The performances don’t hold it together too. Huma struggles to imbibe the mannerisms of Salma beyond the obvious tweaks in her dialect which don’t come out as authentically. Same can be said for Sunny, who seems to be too lost to portray an Indo-British guy with precision. It is Shreyas Talpade who brings in some flair through his presence with a few timely laughs. But even he starts to get repetitive with little to do in the second half. That’s also primarily because there’s nothing left for the makers to say. What the film showcased in over 141 minutes could have easily been wrapped under two hours. After sailing from Lucknow to London and again back to Lucknow, the film reaches a bizarre finale just to make a preachy, misplaced point about women empowerment. Meanwhile, the jetlag and exhaustion are all borne by us.