Emotional, feel-good glossy film that is high on adrenaline during the car racing sequences. Tara Rum Pum has an average script which no doubt borrows a lot from several Hollywood flicks; nonetheless its second half does have high emotional content which manages to touch your heart. The script is average but the screenplay and execution by director Siddharth Anand lifts the film considerably. The first half is the usual love story set against a backdrop of car racing which is fare but the second half where the protagonists go from being rich to poor, how they cope with all the new harsh realities of a poor life, the way they try to help their kids cope with living a different life and finally how they overcome their struggles by being strong with each other’s support is extremely touching. Tara Rum Pum maybe glossy and overdramatic in look but it still manages to portray a humane and sensitive story.
Tara Rum Pum is a Yash Raj production; it has been produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Siddharth Anand. The film belongs to the romantic genre and stars Saif Ali Khan as Rajveer Singh (RV), Rani as Radhika, kids Ali Haji and Angelina Idnani as Champ and Princess, Javed Jaffery as Harry, Victor Banerjee, Shruti Seth etc. The story has been written by Siddharth Anand and the screenplay has been done by Habib Faisal.
Rajveer Singh or RV is a pit-crew worker for a racing car company, till one day an agent Harry discovers his talent as a racer. Harry, the company manager introduces him to the head of the company who then gives him just one chance and that’s all RV needs to prove that he’s got talent. His career takes off as a racer and simultaneously his love life too takes off after a few chance meetings with the beautiful musician Radhika. RV and Radhika decide to tie the knot but Radhika’s father does not approve of RV as he feels that RV has fame but no complete education to back him, also he feels that RV just lives life for today and never plans for tomorrow.
Radhika ignores her father’s warnings and decides to marry RV, everything is going well, their marriage, RV’s racing and they now also have two beautiful kids Champ and Princess. Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse when RV has a fatal car racing accident. He manages to get physically fit within a year of the accident but mentally he is unable to get over the scars that the accident has left on his mind. From here on the family’s downfall begins as RV no longer can race and is left without a job. He is unable to get any other job as he has no degree; they go from having a beautiful home, cars etc to having to give up their cars, homes and fancy lifestyle. They shift to a rundown poverty stricken location and a home that is a far cry from their earlier beautiful one.
RV and Radhika do their best to shield their kids from this harsh reality. The family tries to overcome their struggles by being together and comforting each other. But ultimately the harsh reality of living a poor life takes its toll on the family and they are struck by a misfortune which will ultimately make or break their family. RV is forced by this misfortune to get over his mental block and take to car racing once more. Will RV win this one crucial race; will the family overcome this misfortune?
Although some parts of the story are not novel like the love story the extra elements like the car racing and the plight of a family going from riches to rags is quite interesting. The screenplay in the second half is captivating when the family shift to their new poverty stricken home, the different approach taken by the parents making light of several situations just for their kids is noteworthy. The struggle and sacrifice that each parent makes for the kids is also sensitive and touching. The kids in turn learning the truth and trying to secretly help their parents is a heart wrenching moment. Siddharth Anand has executed the car racing sequences with a rare finesse and it definitely gives the viewers a rush of adrenaline. The film also delivers its messages in a subtle manner, the importance of an education, the need to plan for tomorrow and most importantly standing together rock solid as a family during trying times. Overall the film’s execution and screenplay, especially in the second half is worthwhile.
The film balances the heavy emotional content in the second half with playful light moments and a touch of humour. The climax is again a high packed adrenaline car race sequence executed deftly. The film tries to cater to a wide audience, like kids, youngsters with the car racing theme and even families with the high emotional content. The music by Vishal-Shekhar is plain average but the picturisations take them a notch up. In particular the number which has Rani and Saif gyrating behind a hotel has an international look and feel. Also the song with the kids has some really cute and well done animation. The cinematography is glossy and rich, but it is the camera work in the car races that stand out. Dialogues are nice and emotional.
On the flipside there are a few flaws like the love story which just seems to be hurriedly thrown together and is barely even explored. The glossy look of the film especially even in the second half belies the reality of poverty. Also the first half has nothing dramatic to offer but merely gives a sketchy background. There are also quite a few clichés like the father not approving of his daughter’s choice, the kind but really not funny sidekicks etc. Fortunately the director manages to make the audiences soon forget about the flaws due to the high emotional content.
Performances are good; Saif Ali Khan is sincere in his effort though his styling could have been different and better. He is convincing as a caring father. Rani Mukherjee’s styling is fine and her performance is competent but her role has nothing new to it. The kids both the boy and girl do a fairly good job, Javed Jaffery seems to be repeating his role with the funny accent too many times, but in the emotional sequences he does a good job. Victor Banerjee and Bharat Dabholkar give an efficient performance. The sidekicks in various parts overdo their bit; Shruti Seth is okay but then gets lost in the second half.
Overall though the film can be labeled as too glossy in style and picturisation, nonetheless the screenplay, execution and touching emotional substance makes it a fairly good film. It caters to a wide segment of audiences; it’s a feel good film that gives the audiences a happy feeling after leaving the theater. At the box-office with time it should have a good collection.
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| Reviewed By: Rachel Fernandes |
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