Set to release on 30th July, Netflix gave a surprise when it announced that Mimi is out on 26th July. There are speculations that the early release might be after the film was allegedly leaked.
Nonetheless, it is here, and we have a spoiler-free review ready for you!
Directed by the cinematographer-turned-director Laxman Utekar, Mimi is an adaptation of the 2011 Marathi movie Mala Aai Vhhaychy!
Giving off ‘Bitti’ vibes from Bareilly ki Barfi, Kriti Sanon has yet again proved that she is in her element with the free-spirited, sharp-tongued, and ambitious character. Mimi, hailing from a small town in Rajasthan, occasionally dances in Amar Mahal for a meager amount of 3000/-.
Her dream is to become a big Bollywood star. However, not having enough money to turn her dreams into reality– Mimi is on the lookout to earn her dream.
John and Summer are two American couples who visited India twice in search of a surrogate mother. Their obsession for a healthy and fit young girl is showcased right from the beginning of the film. On an eventful day, they hire Bhanupratap (played by Pankaj Tripathi) as their driver. A string of events led the two couples to see the beautiful Mimi dancing and they ask Bhanu to get them a similar lady.
Bhanu coerces Mimi to accept the offer, and when the couple offers her twenty lakh rupees, she couldn’t let such a hefty amount go.
The movie’s first half is great in terms of the brief knowledge provided about the conditions of surrogate mothers in India and the steps to the method itself– which remains awfully below in the list of content focused in the movies. The Indian government banned surrogacy for foreign infertile couples in 2015.
The movie also concentrates on how Mimi took the offer without pondering on the legal and personal complications of the contract.
Pankaj Tripathi and Kriti Sanon reunite after their film Bareilly ki Barfi. Being exceptionally well in their task, both of them present the perfect dose of emotions and humor.
Sanon’s performance in the second half of the film is commendable. Known for her energetic, happy-go-lucky character, she has fulfilled the job of portraying the sentiments of a mother impressively. Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak, both well-known in the film industry, played Mimi’s parents well. The music is composed by AR Rehman and the lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
The real drama begins in the movie’s second half, where the couple refuses to accept the child and asks Mimi to abort him. The tests showed that the child was disabled and diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The couple’s obsession with a healthful and ‘normal’ child steered them to take this step. Mimi, uninformed of the intricacies of surrogacy, is left baffled and frantic.
Mimi has grown attached to the child, so it is unthinkable for her to abort it; she stays firm and decides to take care of the child by herself.
In Indian society, to have a child without marriage is equivalent to spoiling the family’s reputation. Fearing that the norms might cause harm to the child, she declares Bhanu as the father of the child. Bhanu is already married, and it is not long before her wife and mother know about the fabricated rumor.
What ensues are many outbursts from Mimi’s and Bhanu’s family that their neighbors and acquaintances further inflame. At this point, the film attempts to take an emotional turn without detaching itself from the humor. It becomes somewhat fictitious and highly far-fetched.
If you are looking for a typical comedy film that has undoubtedly the knack to make you laugh, it is worth watching this comedy-drama. However, if you are searching for logic, the movie will be far from being it at certain points.
Various themes like motherhood, down syndrome, race, class, surrogacy, family support, friendship, societal norms, and parenting have been focused on in the film. The main focus of the movie remains– who is the true mother of the child?
Mimi, who takes care of it, or Summer who is the biological mother? Although the absurdity may make the plotline appear improbable, the emotional turn along with Sanon’s performance is bound to give you some chills. Bhanu’s character development from calling the surrogate ‘Maal’ to sticking with Mimi in all the difficulties is also heart-warming.
The movie is now streaming on Netflix. Watch it, and do let us know your views in the comment section!
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