AIMS WELL BUT MISSES

have quietly ventured out to win many more such competitions in the past, but are forced to keep their medals hidden from their men. Only the women of the household know of their sporting talent, and victories.

In a storyline that oscillates between the present and flashbacks through nearly two decades, Chandro and Prakashi's lives are meant to highlight the travails of women in rural India who have little or no liberty to pursue any other activity beyond household chores.

In that sense, Saand Ki Aankh was trying to be more than just a sports movie.

The trouble is that it takes too long to tell its tale and state its message.

Saand Ki Aankh suffers because it did not have enough material for a twoand-half hour runtime.

As the years pass, Chandro and Prakashi's granddaughters take to shooting and the same story repeats itself. None of the cruel chauvinistic reality facing women has changed in all these years. The men in the household are still vehemently opposed to accepting the talent and achievements of their women, even though Chandro and Prakashi have conquered the brother (Sumit Vyas) are successful businessmen. Faced with consecutive setbacks, Raghu's luck will turn one day after a chance encounter with a big businessman, Tanmay Shah (Paresh Rawal). Raghu chucks all orthodox notions he has grown up with when he realises, in a country starved of sex, there is serious money to be made in the business of aphrodisiacs. But first, he must rope in an honest sexologist as partner: enter Dr.Vardhi (Boman Irani). Soon, Raghu, Vardhi and their small team are selling Magic Soup, billed as top quality Chinese aphrodisiac with a secret recipe.

Made In China is enjoyable in parts, and most of these parts begin rolling

Made In China benefits from enjoyable performances of its two key players, Rajkummar Rao and Boman Irani. While Rajkummar is at home playing the guy next door with big dreams, Boman's Dr Vardhi is yet another understated comic addition to the actor's versatile repertoire.

In comparisons, the film's lead actresses, Mouni Roy (as Raghua’s wife) and Amyra Dastur (as a member of Raghu's Magic Soup team) get characters that are not fully fleshed out. One would have also expected Paresh Rawal's cameo appearance get more space in the narrative.

Inadvertently, Made In China lives up to its title, delivering a product that is faulty in parts and works in fits and starts.

Vinayak Chakravorty

hearts of the rest of the country.

Saand Ki Aankh is too simplistic in the way it probes these facets of Indian womanhood in the village scenario.

Bhumi and Taapsee strike oddball chemistry. Driven mostly by an enthusiasm to excel in their roles, the two leading ladies of the film remain its backbone. Despite the abundant melodrama that constantly threatens to consume the screenplay, Taapsee and Bhumi clearly seem to be relishing their acts as the Shooter Daadis, and that is primarily what makes them immensely watchable.

Prakash Jha essays a fine portrayal as the antagonist, Sarpanch Rattan Singh Tomar. He maintains restraint while bringing alive an intrinsically uncouth character, which makes his act effective.

Vineet Kumar as Dr Yashpal - the man who helps the daadis realise their dreams- is another notable performer.

The performances by the cast somewhat redeem a film that raises a significant issue but struggles to address it effectively.

Vinayak Chakravorty