Two absolute legends, Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor come together for 102 Not Out and it is absolutely entertaining!
A 102-year-old father Dattatraya Vakharia (Amitabh Bachchan) decides to send his 75-year-old son Babulal (Rishi Kapoor) to an old-age home. He does that because he believes his son’s morose and almost melancholic outlook towards life will come in his way of trying to break the world record of the longest living human.
Director Umesh Shukla’s treatment is unmistakably light and breezy. ‘102 Not Out’ has brightly lit frames, attractive production design and a visage that just looks and feels pleasant. The writing by Saumya Joshi, who also penned the original Gujarati play that inspired the film, is in tune with the mood of the film.
The highlight of this film are the performances by Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. Both these brilliant actors have, over the course of their long and illustrious careers, proved that they have impeccable comic timing. Rishi Kapoor plays the grumpy old man with nonchalance. While Amitabh Bachchan plays the loveable centenarian, with the zest of a 20-year-old, with flawless precision. Together, their chemistry and repartee make for an entertaining experience. It’s great to see such contrasts come together and warm the cockles of your heart.
Films like ‘102 Not Out’ are best enjoyed with the family. The ease with which the film portrays the bittersweet relationship between its characters is fantastic. Such films are like soft serve ice cream on a sparkly Sunday afternoon. They make you happy. There are parts in the film where emotions run high, but it’s never too overbearing. It’s just a happy and healthy entertainer that tells you that living in the moment and making the most of every day of your life is all that matters. And the age of course, as they say, is just a number.
Rating: 8.5/10