Pakistani actress Sajal Aly, who played a rape survivor in her Bollywood debut “Mom”, says she had never dreamed of acting in the Indian film industry.

Speaking about her role as ‘Arya’ in the Sridevi-starrer, Sajal said: “It was definitely a challenging role… I mean any character you play, you have to really commit to it and kind of naturally become like that, at least that’s how I function.

“I think the most challenging part was performing with Sridevi ma’am. Like my very first scene in the movie is me sitting at a dining table across from her and misbehaving with her — it was terrifying!” Dawn quoted her as saying on Wednesday.

“We had to shoot in Georgia and it was freezing cold… So yeah, that was pretty tough too,” Sajal said.

Sajal said: “Bollywood was never my dream, in all honesty. I was happy working here and that was not something I was working towards but this story moved me. 

“I always knew that if I worked in Bollywood, I have certain limitations and boundaries that I would not want to cross and this movie was about a sensitive topic, everything was handled so tastefully.”

The actress is all praise for her co-star Sridevi, who plays her mother in the movie. “She’s just the sweetest person. Even now, she keeps calling me and reminding me that I’m in her thoughts.”

Sajal said she had three film contracts with Boney Kapoor, Sridevi’s husband and a producer in Bollywood. 

“But now I don’t know what’s in the near future. They handed me the complete package on a silver platter: a meaty character, an excellent cast, the best of the best and for that, I’m forever grateful…

“Everyone’s sending me messages telling me they’re proud of me, it’s just the best feeling, knowing everyone appreciates your work, including critics from across the border.”

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IANS

Film: “Mom”; Director: Ravi Udyawar; Cast: Sridevi, Akshaye Khanna, Adnan Siddiqui, Sajal Ali, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pitobash and Abhimanyu Singh

Rating: ***1/2

This fictionalised revenge drama has the same template as the recently released Raveena Tandon starrer “Maatr”.

Here, the story focuses on Devki Sabharwal, a biology teacher who reprimands her student Mohit when he sends his classmate Arya an objectionable video clip. It is later revealed that Devi is also Arya’s step-mom and there are acceptability issues between the two.

On Valentine’s Day, Arya goes with her classmates to a party in a rural farmhouse where she rejects Mohit’s overtures and soon finds herself hospitalised. A police case ensues and after the investigators fail to deliver Arya justice, Devki takes the reins in her hands. This forms the crux of the tale.

Astutely and sensitively mounted, the film begins with promise. The plot is taut and every scene is well-crafted. The tracks in the film are sensitively handled — be it the mother-daughter relationship, the brutal attack, the post-traumatic agony or the father-daughter relationship.

Despite the suspense elements that keep you glued, the cookie crumbles because of the cinematic liberties taken, especially in deliberately centre-staging the actors be it Sridevi, Akshaye Khanna or Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

This is Sridevi’s three hundredth film and solely her canvas. She delivers her character passionately with her distinctive histrionics. You are one with her in her grief, but when it comes to the revenge bit, you distance yourself and ridicule the path. Nevertheless, she is convincing.

Akshaye Khanna, with his inimitable swagger, is wasted in the one-dimensional role of Mathew Samuel, the investigating crime branch officer. He has nothing much to offer.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the private detective Dayashankar Kapoor aka DK, with an interesting get-up initially seems walking through his character with witty one-liners. But over a period, you realise that his efforts are subtle and worth a mention.

Sajal Ali as Arya is fresh and exuberant. She delivers her part with solemn gusto.

Adnan Siddiqui as Devki’s husband Anand Sabharwal is charming and earnest, but again the script does not permit him to shine.

The others who create an impact are Pitobash as the watchman Baburao, Abhimanyu Singh as the henchman Jagan Singh and the characters who play Mohit and his cousin Charles Diwan. They all have their moments of onscreen glory.

With excellent production values, cinematographer Anay Goswami’s frames are glossy and aesthetically captured. One of the outstanding scenes is the top angle shot of the car moving on the deserted road at night. This visual, accompanied by A.R. Rahman’s brilliant music, is haunting and is easily one of the highlights of the film.

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Devki is a loving wife, and a mother of two beautiful daughters, she seemingly has a perfect happy family. Yet, somehow the true happiness of being a mother eludes her. Arya, a sensitive girl cannot accept Devki and her love wholeheartedly. Arya believes, a daughter comes into a mother’s life, but a mother does not enter the life of a daughter. Devki patiently waits for Arya’s love and acceptance as she believes only a mother can truly understand the silence of her child.

An unfortunate incident , further distances Arya and Devki, to a point of no return. In such a situation a mother has to make a choice not between what is wrong or right but between what is wrong and very wrong.

What will Devki do in such a situation? Will she fight for her daughters love knowing the consequences she may have to face? What will a woman do when she is challenged?

Starring Sridevi Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Sajal Ali, Adnan Siddiqui, Abhimanyu Singh & Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a special appearance.

MOM in cinemas 7th July.

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