Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Taking you back to the world Priyadarshan and Neeraj Vora created with their 2004 film “Hulchul,” “Jayeshbhai Jordaar” introduces us to a village named Pravingarh in Gujarat, led by the patriarchal Sarpanch Ramlal (Boman Irani). He is akin to those politicians who believe that women wearing revealing clothes invite rape, and as a result, he bans soap to “protect the beauty” of the ladies in his village.
Sarpanch’s son, Jayeshbhai (Ranveer Singh), has managed to distance himself from such orthodox thinking. When he learns about the upcoming birth of a girl child, he plans to sneak away from his wife, Mruda (Shalini Pandey), and daughter Siddhi (Jia Vaidya). The film explores the conflict arising from this decision, as it becomes a cat-and-mouse chase involving a powerful Sarpanch determined to maintain his lineage and his son, who is fed up with such regressive beliefs.
In “Jayeshbhai Jordaar,” Ranveer Singh delivers a powerful performance as a Gujarati businessman, showcasing his versatility as an actor. The film weaves together moments of beauty and predictability while addressing the pressing social issue of female foeticide in India. The cinematography, employing a neo-noir style, effectively captures the raw and natural essence of the story.
The film boasts strong performances by Shalini Pandey and Jia Vaidya, adding depth to the narrative. Boman Irani impressively portrays the absurd traditional mindset of the Sarpanch, successfully evoking annoyance. Ratna Pathak Shah, though a talented actor, could have had a more substantial role in the film. The director, Divyang Thakkar, showcases his flair for balancing humour and emotions while delivering a compelling story.
However, the music by Vishal-Shekhar fails to leave a lasting impact, lacking any standout songs. The film manages to address a familiar issue while infusing it with charm, humour, and heartfelt emotions, all brought to life by the stellar performances of Ranveer Singh and Jia Vaidya.
Rating: 7/10