Grandparents play a very important role in many of our lives. Being born and brought up in Mumbai, my grandparents — who stayed in the same city — have had an equal role in shaping me to be the person I am today, as much as my parents. Having working parents, it was mostly my grandparents who took care of me when I was growing up and that formed a special bond between us. With times, things changed, but what didn’t change was that bond. Even today when I write this, I miss them and I know for a fact that they will be looking out for me from up there with a smile on their face, always.
Now, why did I write all this when the title said, ‘Sardar Ka Grandson Review’? Because this bond is exactly what this Kaashvi Nair directorial showcases. The story of this film is based on something we all must have heard of in a conversation with our grandparents — about their ancestral house and all the memories they have attached to it. You may have even visited it or not, it may or may not be in the best shape today, but the sentimental value that house holds is priceless because that’s where everything essentially began.
Sardar (Neena Gupta) has only one wish before she bids adieu to the world and that is to visit her house in Lahore, Pakistan. The duty to fulfil her last wish is bestowed upon her grandson, Amreek (Arjun Kapoor), and that forms the crux of this narrative. Sardar’s house in Lahore has been through a lot and Amreek will have to re-live his grandparents’ experiences during the partition era and will have to witness all of it in the modern setting to fulfil one wish. Does Amreek succeed? That is something you will have to figure when you watch the film. But what I can assure you is that he surely succeeds in tapping into those emotions that every grandchild has lived through. They may still be fresh in your mind or you may have suppressed those memories. As the film progresses, little by little, it breaks the walls you had subconsciously built over the years — leaving you emotional. The film beautifully takes you down memory lane and makes you feel and witness emotions so close home on the 70mm in the most magical way.
Neena Gupta and Arjun are the strong pillars of this narrative and they do complete justice to this tale. Every scene between the both of them has been splendidly crafted and it instantly resonates with you. If you share a close bond with your grandparents, then you are surely in for an emotional ride because this grandma-grandson duo makes it their mission to get you all teary-eyed and boy, they sure did. Whether it is Sardar’s belief in Amreek or Amreek’s desire to fulfil his grandma’s wish, the two of them manage to elevate the story and brownie points to Arjun and Neena ji for their lovely performances. You will see a lot of glimpses of your grandma in Sardar and would want to hug your screen as the film ends. That’s the kind of finesse Neena ji adds to this film. Arjun, on the other hand, plays the role of an ideal grandson who has a great camaraderie with his grandma, that is portrayed to the T. What adds to this tale are the performances by the strong supporting cast featuring Soni Razdan, Kanwaljit Singh, Divya Seth Shah and Kumud Mishra.
Even Arjun and Rakulpreet Singh‘s relationship in this narrative is very much realistic and in no way does it feel OTT even once. Rakul has been pushing the envelope with her every film and this one too seems like another addition to her plethora. And how can we not mention Aditi Rao Hydari and John Abraham — the two characters who bring so much gravitas and soul to the tale, contributing to the emotional journey the film sets to achieve. Aditi plays the role of a younger Sardar so aptly and instantly charms you from the first time she appears on the screen. John, on the other hand, does his part well essaying the role of Sardar’s husband, Gursher Singh. Without Sardar and Gursher’s romance, this story would be incomplete.
All in all, if you want to sit back and go on a nostalgic trip with your entire family, Sardar Ka Grandson is a film you cannot miss. It will make you emotional, make you laugh, cry, and cry (Oh, I already said that…but you get the point), and make you feel thankful and grateful for all the experiences you have had with your grandparents.
P.S: Have your box of tissues ready by your side. You can thank me later.