Hawaa Hawaai (2014)

Very well executed

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Really?? Are Indians that dumb? This director is manipulating emotions, creating god-like characters with no trace of human evil and tell me, which father watches his son study from a school window? and the director replaced his father with a skating teacher-give me a break. Seems like making audience feel sorry about being able to live a normal life is a way to go in Indian movies. The portrayal of slums was exaggerated and needless. The director was trying to trade tears for his movie but in the end it turned out to be a hyper-emotional, non realistic story that will only appeal to you if you mind as weak as a rice glue. The performances were ordinary with the leads(I guess were instructed by director) only trying to make us feel sad about the state they're in. What is the world they are living in? In my world, some good things happen and some bad but apparently in their world all bad things happen to nice people until a silver lining and everything goes Okay.. You know what? F*ck this.. I'd sue the director if I could for emotional manipulation....

Good movies for children are quite rare in Bollywood with few exceptions like Masoom and Taare Zameen Par. Lately, watched "Stanley Ka Dabba" which portrayed the story of an orphan working in a small restaurant. Well, the film wasn't very remarkable but I liked Partho in the central role as Stanley who gets punished by his teacher for not bringing his tiffin box. From the same director (Amol Gupte) and Partho in the central character comes "Hawaa Hawaai" which is much motivating, heart warming and inspiring.The film presents the small aims that even the orphans and street children thrive for. It motivates to search the aim of your life and see the happiness in the smaller things of life for which the film deserves a commendation. The slow pace and the non star cast might keep this film unnoticed; but the film succeeds in its theme. The central characters of the film involve five kids and all of them have given brilliant performances; and I was stunned by Partho's performance. He just makes his role seem effortless and he succeeds in tying the viewers with his character. On a whole, though the film won't create much of hype, the film still deserves to be watched for the genuine story which motivates to make your life meaningful.Rating: 2 stars out of 4

Small budgeted cinema have come up well which shows that time is certainly changing in Bollywood and it is definitely changing for good. Hawa Hawaai is one of the most daring film which will inspire and motivate you with head-strong story of a 12 year old boy who succeeded and achieved within short span of time.Ditrected by Amol Gupte who has been credited as creative director of Taare Zameen Par and Stanley Ka Dabba, Hawa Hawaai holds certain aspects of life and explores the inequality of children in the city of Mumbai. He succeeds in telling the story of brave kid who, despite all odds, dares to dream and achieves the goal. The screenplay is outstanding keeping the audience alive coupled with beautiful background score and strong performances. Music gels well with mood of the film supported with catchy cinematography and crisp editing. Partho A. Gupte delivers yet another knock-out performance after Stanley Ka Dabba and he gives his best. Saqib Saleem is getting better with each film and has proved his mettle in the film.A nice , brave attempt with wonderful direction and hard-hitting performances. Very good 4/5

Amole Gupte has always fascinated me with his excellent approach towards children, emotions and drama. He captures the little things and reads between the lines to bring out fantastic images of pure sense, passion and realism.Unfortunately, with Hawaa Hawaai he employs a tried, tested and succeeded formula that talks about a boy's wish to skate. The characters are written with finesse. Saqib Saleem's character is that of an altruist, which if we relate with reality, hampers the thought. There may be 5 out of 1000 people like this character which was previously found in Gupte's Taare Zameen Par i.e. Aamir Khan's character. Partho Gupte should be lauded for his brilliant performance, both while expressing and skating.I loved the screenplay because it doesn't tell you everything at once. The lead characters' stories are narrated with time as the plot advances. Although the story is tad clichéd, the execution is fine. Supporting cast, music, cinematography and editing all are good. The four boys who enacted the roles of poor, street lads of Mumbai are the bees' knees and secondary cynosure of the film, after Gupte Jr.; I envied their friendship, mind you! The thing about sports movies is that they inspire but it is ironical to know that the inspiration fades after you leave the theater.But still, this time Gupte samples ounces of melodrama which have varied effects: one, that it induces emotions into the viewers and two, it gives away the idea that the whole film is make-believe. Having said that, the climax is predictable and because I did not experience anything new, I rate it a humble 6.3 out of 10.BOTTOM LINE: Just because the film doesn't bore and engages you to the core doesn't mean it is highbrow. It can be considered as a very watchable film if we are talking about all those recent potboilers in Bollywood. Recommended!Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES