Rishi Kapoor’s last film is a heartwarming and enjoyable farewell to an actor noted for bringing amazing spontaneity and flare to his performances. Sharmaji Namkeen, a new Amazon Prime Video original film, makes it clear that the qualities that made him unique never left him.Rishi Kapoor, on the other hand, has only become better as he grew older.
About 10 years into his career and the end of his life, he was equally at home as a deeply attached pater familias (Mulk) or an exuberant grandfather in an otherwise troubled household (Kapoor & Sons). Sharmaji Namkeen, a suitable swan song, is just as deliciously on the money.There is more to Sharmaji Namkeen than Rishi Kapoor.
Whenever the original intended actor for the part isn’t available, Paresh Rawal performs an admirable job of assuming the role, replete with trademark pullover and overused briefcase. It’s a flawless transition between actors in the picture. Sharmaji Namkeen, on the other hand, is not satisfied. When Kapoor isn’t on the screen, the picture loses a little of its carefree charm. Sharmaji Namkeen, on the other hand, evokes only stifled giggles rather than full-fledged laughter.
It’s not extremely salty or spicy, and it’s looking for a center to keep it all together. While the narrative is a little shallow, Rishi Kapoor nevertheless manages to give us a last peek of his acting prowess, effortlessly combining comedy and drama without a hitch.
His character in Sharmaji Namkeen, a lighthearted family drama, resembles the disturbed father in Do Dooni Chaar and Rajma Chawal, both lighthearted comedies with high amounts of whimsy, which he played before. According to Brij Gopal Sharma’s attitude and behavior, he falls midway between the Lajpat Nagar math teacher in Do Dooni Chaar and the elderly businessman whose relocation to Chandni Chowk in Rajma Chawal has ramifications for him.
When Ranbir Kapoor introduces his Excel Entertainment and MacGuffin Pictures production, Sharmaji Namkeen, he uses an emotionally charged monologue to explain why Paresh Rawal was brought on board as well as why the film had to be made.
The film concludes with outtakes of Rishi Kapoor and his co-stars performing Om Shanti Om from Karz, one of the star’s most upbeat musical moments. The song and the clumsy phrases depict the actor’s young and exuberant personality, which he exuded throughout the film.
The film is a fine enough watch that does honor to the memories of an actor who would never fail to come alive in front of a film camera. Juhi Chawla, Satish Kaushik, Sheeba Chaddha, Ayesha Raza Mishra, and Parmeet Sethi are all in the supporting cast.