Sarfira Review, Cast
Sudha Kongara directs stars Akshay Kumar and Radhika Madan in Sarfira, her Hindi remake of her Tamil film Soorarai Pottru (2020). Based on Air Deccan founder GR Gopinath’s memoir Simply Fly and “stories from Indian aviation,” the film narrates the saga of how India’s first low-cost airline came up in the 2000s. It’s both a tribute to Indian entrepreneurship and a cautionary tale of what happens to those who try to compete with crony capitalists.
Important Points
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Sudha Kongara |
| Writers | Sudha Kongara, Shalini Ushadevi |
| Cast | Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal |
| Main Genre | Drama, Biopic |
| Based On | Simply Fly by GR Gopinath |
| Runtime | 150 minutes |
| Original Language | Hindi |
| Original Film | Soorarai Pottru (Tamil, 2020) |
Summary
When former Indian Air Force pilot Vir Mhatre (Akshay Kumar) decides to convert his pie-in-the-sky project into reality, he goes up against Jaz Airlines founder Paresh Goswami (Paresh Rawal). Goswami doesn’t just have a direct line to the aviation minister. As Vir tries to launch a no-fuss, affordable airline that he jokingly calls a “flying Udupi hotel,” he learns that Paresh Goswami is Indian aviation personified.
Vir’s strongest ally is his wife Rani (Radhika Madan). Their partnership of equals is driven by their shared quirkiness but is tested ever so often by the pressures that come their way from Goswami.
In attempting to highlight the difficulties faced by Vir, Sudha Kongara and co-writer Shalini Ushadevi drum up the drama, turn on the faucets, and pump up the volume. Every possible obstacle rises in Vir’s path, leading to overwrought scenes that border on the fantastical despite supposedly being based on actual incidents.
A carnivalesque air hangs over Vir’s mission, which finds support from his entire village. Fists fly, and there are mad sprints on runways as Vir tries to get Air Deccan off the ground. If there was an opportunity to curb the excess of the original movie, it was clearly ignored.
Plus Points
- Compelling Performances: Akshay Kumar delivers a powerful performance as Vir Mhatre, capturing the determination and grit needed to achieve his dreams. Radhika Madan shines as Rani, providing a strong emotional backbone to the story.
- Inspirational Story: The film effectively showcases the challenges and triumphs of launching a low-cost airline in India, highlighting the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Emotional Depth: Sarfira captures the pig-headed determination that guides entrepreneurs, especially in India. The film gets right the queuing up for appointments, the begging for a hearing, and the willpower to stand up after being knocked down over and over again.
Minus Points
- Overwrought Drama: The film’s tendency to exaggerate the obstacles and challenges faced by Vir can feel overwhelming and detracts from the realism of the story.
- Lack of Novelty: For viewers of Soorarai Pottru, Sarfira offers little new, being a frame-by-frame remake that doesn’t bring much originality to the table.
- Excessive Length: At 150 minutes, the film could have benefited from tighter editing to keep the narrative more focused and engaging.
Conclusion
- Sarfira* does well to capture the sky-high emotions and the determination required to make India’s first low-cost airline a reality. Despite its over-dramatization and lack of novelty for those who have seen Soorarai Pottru, the film remains an inspirational watch with strong performances from Akshay Kumar and Radhika Madan. The movie is a testament to the power of dreams and the resilience needed to achieve them, even in the face of formidable challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who is the director of Sarfira?
A: Sudha Kongara.
Q: What is the basis of the film Sarfira?
A: The film is based on Air Deccan founder GR Gopinath’s memoir Simply Fly and stories from Indian aviation.
Q: Who stars in Sarfira?
A: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, and Paresh Rawal.
Q: What is the main genre of Sarfira?
A: Drama, Biopic.
Q: How long is Sarfira?
A: 150 minutes.
Q: Is Sarfira an original film?
A: No, it is a Hindi remake of the Tamil film Soorarai Pottru (2020).
Q: What are some of the key themes in Sarfira?
A: The film explores themes of entrepreneurship, determination, and the challenges of competing with established players in the aviation industry.