Review of the Gujarati Film – “Hu Tu Tu Tu – Aavi Ramat ni Rutu!”

The Gujarati Film Industry is seeing a lot of experimentation since sometime. The beginning of 2016 saw yet another experimentation on the silver screen “Hu Tu Tu Tu – Aavi Ramat ni Rutu!” Trying a new genre with the Gujarati audience, which is labelled as comedy-freak, was always an uphill task for this film. When I buzzed the director Shital Shah to know her take and inspiration for this film, she said “It is an effort on our part to make a cinema with a different back drop and portray a story we believe in.” Strongly support her for focusing on subject based films.

Travelling since sometime, I couldn’t watch the film on the release date i.e. 1^st Jan 2016 and when I finally decided to watch it, there were already a lot of saddening reviews everywhere; which directed people to not watch the film. Suspense and thriller genres are not common to the Gujarati audience, pan etle film jovanuj nahi? Na chaale!

When I reviewed Bas Ek Chance on my blog, it received a lot of appreciation for being unbiased and putting out both the positives and negatives of the film. Many of the key stakeholders of the film are still in my touch and I am happy that they took my criticism in a positive manner.

And, when I reviewed Chhello Divas, it was the most viral blog post of the year. Over 1 lakh people visited that blog post and the requests after it for “Blog Partnership” and “Film Support” have been tremendous. But when I had initially decided to review Gujarati films and pour my heart out in the blog, a lot of people critiqued me saying that an English review of a Gujarati Film would not be the best thing to do. But somehow, I see those people sharing my posts now 😉 Anyways, it is time to review the first Gujarati Film of 2016, whose Director Shital Shah has braved everyone with her choice of the plot.

“Hu Tu Tu Tu – Aavi Ramat ni Rutu!” is a game between the Choksi brothers who are well known names of the commodity stock market of Ahmedabad. The central theme of their game is based on their assumption that an individual’s actions and behavior is largely dependent on his acquaintances and financial backup. To prove this point, a bet is played over a game of chess. They decide to swap two individuals who are poles apart in their financial and intellectual status. After this swap, the game gets intense and the Choksi Duo is largely successful in their claim. But do they win the game or not? Watch it to know more!

The storyline reminds me of the following:

1. Santu Rangili (Film of language – Gujarati): This is an old time film that starred Aruna Irani and Upendra Trivedi.
2. Zanjeer (Film of language – Hindi): The well-known film of Jaya Bhaduri and Amitabh Bachchan
3. Pygmalion (Play of language – English): Penned by G. B. Shaw. The interaction between Eliza and Professor Higgins relates here.

Now, let us have a look at the performances of the cast (writing about them in random order):

• Parth Oza – Doctor, singer, actor and what not? So much of talent in one person? Yes that is Parth Oza who has made a debut with this film as an actor. A lot of girls are going to buzz him and hope his “Music Therapy” heals all those broken hearts!

• Shital Shah – Firstly, it is not easy to direct a film. And she goes on to be the Lead Actress too! When I meet her, I will definitely want to know how she managed both and that too remarkably! Am sure it will be interesting. As a struggling actress in the film who does menial roles for her living, she speaks in flawed English, which does justice to the character. However, her character is over-shadowed by the powerful male characters.

• Raunaq Kamdar – From a small time thief to being the Managing Director of a Multi Crore company, his character is fascinating and it is laudable the way he makes us live his captivating journey!

• Shaina Shah – Her expressions, looks and speech are impressive and go in sync with her character of Personality Development Trainer in the film. Her tongue twister “Shital Sharbat Laine Shimla Thi Aavi” has started making rounds in social media.

• Ankit Joshipura & Abhay Chandarana – This duo will convince you that the commodity stock market is the best business to do, until the climax 😉 Their dialogue delivery supplements their expressions and is key in shaping the storyline of the film. However, the lifestyle portrayal of characters gets slightly repetitive and could have been shortened.

• Bhakti Kubavat – Being a successful emcee, all had high expectations from her in Bas Ek Chance. I’d highlighted the same in my film review of that film. Though she did not live upto those expectations then, she has surely exceeded them now. Although in a character role, she ended up creating a major impact on the audience and now she has set a very high benchmark for her role in “Vitamin She”, which I’m confident she’ll meet and exceed!

After the film, I asked people of their experiences and it was saddening to learn that they were comparing it with few recent releases. It would be appreciated if a film was being judged for what it is, and not on the scale of relativity!

However, I do mention that the film didn’t do its best of editing (especially in the first half). The writing could have been worked upon and advertising should have been a bit toned down. Also, the film has released at a time when people are still in a hangover of “Chhello Divas” and there is still excitement and rush for it. But well, there are shortcomings in every film and that does NOT mean the film has to be ridiculed as a whole!

If you go with an open mind, do not compare it with any other film and accept the shortcomings that I mentioned above – it will be an interesting journey as the twists and turns in the film unfold. And while the weather outside fluctuates between hot and cold, this ‘ramat ni rutu’ too will keep you excited on what happens next!