Ardh Review: Over a period of time, we have stereotyped certain actors in a particular type of role. Be it, Johhny Lever, as a comedy relief actor, Amrish Puri as someone’s brooding father, or the recent example of Varun Sharma as a dumb sarcastic person.
And the thing is, this stereotype is more common for comedy actors. Take some of the best comedic actors as an example. Vijay Raaz was a brilliant gag actor until he slew it in Gnagubai Kathiawadi.
Pankaj Tripathi’s comedic timing was unmatched until he started doing serious roles, and then there was no turning back. Even Rajpal Yadav stated so often that casting directors do not take all these acting school graduates but actors that still need lots of training.
It is a sad reality, but our audience is still yet to evolve to let these kinds of artists lead a movie on their shoulders. And after watching Ardh, you will start thinking about this stuff more and more. But was Ardh just a one-man show, or is it actually worth it? Let’s find out.
Ardh Review: Plot Analysis
Ardh Review: Ardh revolves around a struggling actor Shiva who is even struggling to meet the daily needs of the family. He lives with his wife Madhu and his son. He will do any job to earn his daily needs. Be it, begging, cleaning job or even delivery boy.
Ardh not only is about the Shiva and his family but also about Mumbai city and its dreams. Mumbai city is also a very important character in the movie. It shows how deeply it can crush someone’s dream no matter how much they struggle.
The budget constraints really let the movie down which could have been so much more. I would not go as harsh as other critics because there were certain moments of brilliance throughout the movie.
Ardh Review: What Worked For The Movie
Lead Cast
Let’s not beat around the bushes. Rajpal Yadav and Rubina Dilaik were brilliant as a couple. Both of them were fighting for survival, and it was visible in every single frame of the movie. You will strive for both of them.
Rajpal Yadav as Shiva is just like us. A person who is one amongst many and wants to stand out. Rubina plays the role of Madhu who is supporting her husband in every measly task because at the end of the day it is about survival.
And both of them are just outstanding in their roles. Rubina really brought every emotion out of a character that might seem one-toned to most of the other artists. And you have to see Rajpal Yadav’s performance with your own eyes to see how brilliant he was.
Music
The music of the movie is just too good. We already knew that when the songs were released on Youtube and the album came out. But after hearing those songs in the movie, they hit even harder and will make you emotional.
Zindagi, sung by Sonu Nigam, is such a beautifully broken song and rips your heart out when combined with Rajpal Yadav’s performance. The background score might have been slightly melodramatic, but it was still something that will move you.
Moments Of Brilliance
Ardh as a whole movie might have been hit and miss. But the moments that hit you are just too good. In some specific scenes, the movie smartly and emotionally points out all the biggest problems in this industry.
In a very emotional scene, Rajpal Yadav complains that theater did not teach him to make a body but act. Ardh emphasizes what actually can be termed as talent in this industry. And most of the time it is not your acting skills.
Over the course of movies, we see so many beautiful scenes between Shiva and Madhu and all of them will tear your heart out. Shiva states that the Producer will decide who is the actor, not your skills and you feel that looking at the current scenario.
Ardh Review: What Did Not Worked For The Movie
Cinematography
We know that Ardh has budget constraints, but the cinematography was dull. Mumbai city has been shot so many times by so many different directors, and all of them had their versions.
Ardh looks like a Youtube short film rather than a movie on an OTT platform. And this begs the question, are no producers ready to invest in a movie like this even on an OTT platform release?
Palash Mucchal was not able to show anything worthwhile with his direction. Yes, the shots inside Shiva and Madhu’s house were brilliant. But it was more through the efforts of Rajpal Yadav and Rubina rather than direction.
Execution
The idea of having a movie like Ardh is brilliant. But what Ardh actually demanded was execution. And for the most part, it fails in that aspect. Ardh is a very good idea but it is presented to us in a very ordinary method.
Yes, there were moments of brilliance that will stay with you for a long time. But as a whole movie, it will fail to capture you completely unless you are deeply rooted in this film industry. Ardh could have been so much more.
Dubbing
Once again, it could have been blamed on the budget restraints, but the dubbing was still very mediocre at best. There was visible differentiation between what the character is saying and what is actually being delivered.
We would not have picked it, but it was so obvious and could be termed as an eyesore for most of the parts. If the dubbing was a little bit better this movie would have been so much better than what it actually was.
Ardh: Is It Worth It?
Ardh might be pale in what was promised to us, but it is still a decent watch. If nothing else we owe it to Rajpal Yadav and Rubina Dilaik to watch this movie for them. The scene where Rajpal Yadav complains about people not stopping for others is something so heartbreaking.
Ardh is not something that will stand out from other OTT movies that you have seen in recent years. But the stand-out moments make it worth your time. It is not a story of a struggling actor but rather a story of every ordinary person who wants to stand out from the crowd.
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