Cinema is an entertaining medium that is meant to take the audience through a narrative format within a stipulated time and hence has to engross them, transport them to another world and put the ideas of the film maker into their head and then let them go and think about it or revel in it. Debutante Gauri Shinde just does all that is said above with English Vinglish. And Ms Shinde, take a bow for having delivered a product which is a celebration of life and all things good and positive!

And what a comeback for the most beautiful and talented artist of our times! Sridevi’s acumen should be lauded for selecting such a script for her return to the silver screen where she actually belongs.

EV is an endearing tale of a home maker who gives her heart and soul to her family but seeks just a little respect that she truly deserves. That said, Shinde does not over dramatize things or bring in a sympathy factor. We have a protagonist in Sridevi who knows her priorities well but at the same time relents only for the overall happiness of her family. Nevertheless where it matters, she sure does raise and with graceful authoritative aplomb.

Needless to say, its Sridevi’s show all the way as she dominates the screen effortlessly! The beautiful face and the gamut of emotions that play around those gorgeous eyes are a joie de vivre experience. Sridevi’s magic begins the moment she turns her face to the camera and keeps the audience in her grasp for a long time. The cute little jive she does for her son, the exhilaration that she expresses when she is called an entrepreneur, the dignified manner in which she handles Mehdi Nebbou who loves her, the hurt she feels when her husband and daughter ridicule her, the anguish in an eat-out shop in America on not knowing the language are all just samples of what a power house performer that we have missed all these years.

Designer Sabyasachi should be appreciated here for dressing Sridevi in the most apt sarees that highlight her looks and character.

What instantly draws the viewer to this adorable tale of finding self-worth is its simplicity and earnest moments that bring out a few smiles here, a few touching moments there and an overall good feeling that stays with you long after you leave the hall.

Plaudits are due to Gauri Shinde for a taut and engaging screenplay that is devoid of any unnecessary or contrived sequences. She makes you root for her protagonist, smile with her, feel for her and be a part of her life through out. Her characters are real and identifiable.

Shinde is ably supported by her crew both on screen and off screen. Adil Hussain, the Ishquiya artist as Sridevi’s husband, Mehdi Nebbou as the French chef who loves her, Priya Anand as her niece have all essayed their roles perfectly. The cute little son of hers is so natural and adorable that he lifts the spirits up whenever he appears.

Ajith’s cameo is highly enjoyable and he gets to mouth lines which are relevant and significant. As he says, it is good to learn a language but not knowing is not bad. It’s an impactful three minutes indeed!

Music Director Amit Trivedi transports you to a sound zone that is perfect for the film but the Tamil lyrics of Ammachi do not gel well though. The English learning sequences might remind viewers about Mind Your Language series but that cannot be helped as when it is about learning English, it is bound to have participants from varied nationalities.

On the whole English Vinglish is a delectably mounted tale of a woman by a woman who delivers it right the very first time in a charming fashion.

Verdict: Delightful, feel good film, go for it!