Simran: A Film Review of the Bollywood Crime Thriller Starring Kangana Ranaut
Simran Full Movie Review: A Heist Comedy-Drama with a Twist
If you are looking for a Bollywood film that is different from the usual formulaic romances, action thrillers, or family dramas, you might want to check out Simran. Simran is a 2017 film directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Kangana Ranaut, Sohum Shah, and Esha Tewari. It is a heist comedy-drama that tells the story of Praful Patel, a 30-year-old divorcee living in Atlanta who is grappling with debt and a relationship that has gone sour. She decides to gamble her way out of her troubles, but ends up owing money to a dangerous loan shark. To pay him back, she resorts to robbing banks, using her wit and charm as her weapons. Along the way, she also has to deal with her conservative family, her potential suitor, and her own inner demons.
Simran Full Movie magari mufight auror
Simran is a film that explores themes such as freedom, identity, feminism, immigration, and crime. It is also a film that mixes genres such as comedy, drama, thriller, and romance. It is a film that showcases the talent and versatility of Kangana Ranaut, one of the most acclaimed and controversial actresses in Bollywood. It is also a film that has sparked debates and controversies over its authenticity, accuracy, and quality. In this article, we will review Simran in detail, looking at its plot summary, analysis, conclusion, and FAQs.
Introduction
Simran is a Hindi-language film that was released on September 15, 2017. It was directed by Hansal Mehta, who is known for his realistic and socially relevant films such as Shahid (2013), CityLights (2014), Aligarh (2016), and Omerta (2018). The film was written by Apurva Asrani and Chintan Shah, based on an original story by Mehta. The film was produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Shailesh R Singh, Amit Agarwal, Sumeet Jain, Amit Jain under their banners T-Series Films, Paramhans Creations Entertainment Pvt Ltd., Adarsh Telemedia Pvt Ltd., Karma Features Pvt Ltd.
The film stars Kangana Ranaut as Praful Patel aka Simran, a Gujarati housekeeper who becomes a bank robber. Ranaut is one of the most popular and acclaimed actresses in Bollywood today. She has won four National Film Awards for her performances in Fashion (2008), Queen (2014), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), and Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019). She is also known for her outspoken and fearless personality, which has often landed her in controversies and conflicts with other celebrities and media. She has also ventured into production and direction, launching her own banner Manikarnika Films in 2020. The film also features Sohum Shah as Sameer, a divorcee who falls in love with Praful. Shah is an actor and producer who has worked in films such as Ship of Theseus (2013), Talvar (2015), Tumbbad (2018), and The Big Bull (2021). He is the founder of Recyclewala Films, a production company that focuses on content-driven cinema. He has also won a National Film Award for his role in Ship of Theseus. The film also stars Esha Tewari as Ambar, Praful's friend and colleague; Aneesha Joshi as Salma, Praful's cousin; Rupinder Nagra as Mike, the loan shark; Manu Narayan as Sameer's friend; Timothy Ryan Hickernell as Robert, the FBI agent; and Kishori Shahane as Praful's mother. Simran is a film that belongs to the genre of heist comedy-drama. It is a film that combines elements of humor, suspense, action, and emotion. It is a film that draws inspiration from real-life events, such as the story of Sandeep Kaur, an Indian-American nurse who robbed several banks in the US under the alias of "Bombshell Bandit". It is also a film that explores themes such as feminism, immigration, identity, freedom, and crime. It is a film that aims to entertain, inform, and provoke the audience. Plot Summary
The film begins with Praful Patel (Kangana Ranaut), a 30-year-old divorcee who works as a housekeeper in a hotel in Atlanta. She lives with her parents in a small apartment and dreams of buying her own house. She is unhappy with her life and feels suffocated by her conservative family and society. She also has a strained relationship with her ex-husband, who cheated on her and left her for another woman.
One day, she receives an invitation to attend her cousin Salma's (Aneesha Joshi) wedding in Las Vegas. She decides to go there with her friend Ambar (Esha Tewari) and have some fun. On the way, she meets Sameer (Sohum Shah), a fellow Gujarati who works as a manager in a clothing store. He is also divorced and looking for love. He takes an instant liking to Praful and tries to woo her.
In Las Vegas, Praful gets tempted to try her luck at gambling. She wins some money at first, but soon loses it all. She borrows money from a loan shark named Mike (Rupinder Nagra), who charges her a high interest rate. She gambles again, hoping to win back her money, but ends up losing more. She now owes Mike $50,000, which she has to pay back within a week.
Praful returns to Atlanta and tries to arrange the money by working extra hours and selling her belongings. However, she falls short of the amount. Mike threatens to harm her and her family if she does not pay him back soon. Praful gets desperate and decides to rob a bank. She disguises herself with a wig and sunglasses and uses a note to demand money from the teller. She succeeds in getting away with $12,000.
Praful feels a rush of adrenaline and confidence after robbing the bank. She decides to rob more banks to pay off Mike and buy her house. She adopts the alias of Simran, which is the name of her favorite character from the film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). She also uses different phrases such as "magari mufight auror" (which means "I am very angry" in Gujarati) to confuse the authorities.
Meanwhile, Sameer keeps calling Praful and expresses his interest in marrying her. He visits Atlanta and meets Praful's parents, who approve of him. Praful likes Sameer too, but she is reluctant to commit to him because of her secret life as a bank robber. She also fears that he will find out about her past and reject her.
Praful's crimes attract the attention of the FBI, who assign agent Robert (Timothy Ryan Hickernell) to catch her. Robert tracks down Praful's phone number and calls her pretending to be a journalist. He asks her about Simran and tries to get information from her. Praful realizes that he is lying and hangs up on him.
Praful manages to pay off Mike with the money she stole from the banks. However, he does not let her go and demands more money from her. He also blackmails her with a video of her gambling in Las Vegas. He threatens to expose her to her family and the police if she does not comply. Praful gets angry and decides to confront him. She goes to his house with a gun and shoots him in the leg. She then escapes with his money and his phone.
Praful is now on the run from both Mike and the FBI. She calls Sameer and tells him that she loves him and wants to marry him. She asks him to meet her at the airport and elope with her. Sameer agrees and rushes to the airport. However, he is followed by Robert, who has traced Praful's location through Mike's phone.
At the airport, Praful and Sameer meet and hug each other. They are about to board a flight to India when Robert arrives and arrests Praful. He reveals her true identity as Simran, the bank robber, to Sameer. Sameer is shocked and heartbroken. He asks Praful why she did all this. Praful says that she wanted to be free and happy, but she made some wrong choices along the way. She apologizes to Sameer and tells him to forget her.
Praful is taken away by Robert and his team. She smiles and waves at Sameer, who is left in tears. The film ends with a voice-over of Praful saying that she does not regret anything she did, because she lived her life on her own terms.
Analysis
The Performance of Kangana Ranaut as Simran
One of the main highlights of Simran is the performance of Kangana Ranaut as Praful Patel aka Simran. Ranaut delivers a stellar performance as the complex and flawed protagonist, who is both charming and frustrating, funny and tragic, brave and foolish, innocent and guilty. She portrays the various shades of Praful's personality with ease and conviction, making the audience empathize with her even when she does questionable things.
Ranaut also showcases her versatility as an actor, switching between comedy and drama, action and romance, Gujarati and English, with grace and skill. She also does most of her own stunts, such as driving a car, shooting a gun, or running from the cops, adding to the realism and thrill of the film. She also nails the accent and mannerisms of a Gujarati immigrant in the US, making her character believable and relatable.
Ranaut's performance in Simran has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike. She has won several awards and nominations for her role, such as the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress, the Zee Cine Award for Best Actress (Viewer's Choice), the Screen Award for Best Actress (Popular Choice), and the IIFA Award for Best Actress.
However, Ranaut's performance in Simran has also been criticized by some people, who have accused her of overacting, hamming, or overshadowing other actors in the film. Some have also pointed out that her character is too similar to her previous roles in Queen or Tanu Weds Manu Returns, where she played quirky and rebellious women who defy social norms.
The Direction of Hansal Mehta
Another important aspect of Simran is the direction of Hansal Mehta, who is known for his realistic and socially relevant films that deal with issues such as human rights, corruption, sexuality, terrorism, etc. Mehta has directed films such as Shahid (2013), which is based on the life of lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi; CityLights (2014), which is a remake of the British film Metro Manila (2013) about a poor migrant family in Mumbai; Aligarh (2016), which is based on the life of professor Ramchandra Siras who was suspended from his job for being gay; Omerta (2018), which is based on the life of terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh; Chhalaang (2020), which is a comedy-drama about a school teacher who faces competition from a new colleague; Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020), which is a web series about the 1992 Indian stock market scam by Harshad Mehta; and The Family Man (2019-2021), which is a web series about a middle-class man who works as a secret agent. Mehta has a distinctive style of direction, which is characterized by realism, simplicity, subtlety, and sensitivity. He uses handheld cameras, natural lighting, minimal music, and authentic locations to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere. He also uses long takes, close-ups, and silences to convey the emotions and expressions of the characters. He also avoids using unnecessary glamour, violence, or melodrama to sensationalize the story. He also collaborates with talented actors, writers, and technicians to bring out the best in his films. Mehta's direction in Simran is different from his previous films, as it is more light-hearted, humorous, and adventurous. He tries to balance comedy and drama in the film, using witty dialogues, funny situations, and quirky characters to create humor, and using suspense, action, and emotion to create drama. He also experiments with different genres, such as heist, thriller, romance, and social commentary, in the film. He also draws inspiration from Hollywood films such as Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and Thelma & Louise (1991), in the film. Mehta's direction in Simran has been appreciated by some critics and audiences, who have praised his ability to make a entertaining and engaging film that also has a message and a meaning. They have also lauded his skill in handling the controversial aspects of the story, such as Praful's gambling addiction, criminal activities, and sexual freedom, without being judgmental or preachy. They have also commended his vision and creativity in making a film that is different from his usual style and genre. However, Mehta's direction in Simran has also been criticized by some people, who have accused him of compromising his artistic integrity and quality for commercial success. They have also pointed out that his film lacks coherence, consistency, and depth, as it tries to do too many things at once. They have also argued that his film is not original or authentic, as it borrows heavily from other sources and does not reflect the reality of the Indian-American community or the bank robbery cases. The Themes and Messages of Simran
The third aspect of Simran that we will analyze is the themes and messages of the film. Simran is a film that explores various themes such as feminism, immigration, identity, freedom, and crime. It is a film that tries to convey some ideas and values to the audience through its story and characters.
One of the main themes of Simran is feminism. The film portrays Praful as a strong and independent woman who does not conform to the traditional norms and expectations of her family and society. She is not afraid to speak her mind, pursue her dreams, express her sexuality, or take risks. She is also not dependent on any man for her happiness or security. She challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that women face in both India and the US.
However, the film also shows the challenges and consequences that Praful faces for being a feminist. She faces criticism, [rejection, isolation, and violence from her family, friends, and enemies. She also suffers from guilt, regret, and self-doubt for her actions. She also realizes that her freedom comes at a cost, as she loses her love, her reputation, and her peace of mind. The film does not glorify or justify Praful's crimes, but rather shows the complexity and ambiguity of her situation. Another theme of Simran is immigration. The film depicts the life and struggles of the Indian-American community in the US. It shows how they try to balance their cultural identity and values with the American lifestyle and opportunities. It also shows how they face discrimination, racism, and prejudice from the mainstream society. It also shows how they cope with the challenges of assimilation, integration, and adaptation. The film also portrays Praful as an immigrant who is caught between two worlds. She is not fully accepted or comfortable in either India or the US. She feels alienated and restless in both places. She does not fit in with her conservative and traditional family in India, nor with her liberal and modern friends in the US. She also does not identify with either culture or nationality. She is constantly searching for a place where she can belong and be happy. A third theme of Simran is identity. The film explores the question of who Praful is and what she wants. It shows how Praful tries to find herself and express herself through different means, such as gambling, robbing, loving, etc. It also shows how Praful changes and evolves throughout the film, as she goes from being a timid and unhappy housekeeper to a confident and adventurous bank robber. The film also uses the name Simran as a symbol of Praful's identity crisis. Simran is the name of the character played by Kajol in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), which is Praful's favorite film. Simran is also the name that Praful uses to rob banks. Simran represents Praful's ideal self, who is bold, free, and happy. Simran also represents Praful's escape from reality, who is troubled, trapped, and sad. A fourth theme of Simran is freedom. The film examines the concept of freedom and what it means to different people. It shows how Praful values freedom above everything else, and how she pursues it at any cost. It also shows how freedom can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can bring happiness and fulfillment, but also danger and destruction. The film also contrasts Praful's idea of freedom with that of other characters, such as Sameer, Mike, Robert, etc. Sameer believes that freedom is about finding love and settling down. Mike believes that freedom is about having money and power. Robert believes that freedom is about following the law and order. The film does not provide a definitive answer to what freedom is or should be, but rather invites the audience to think and decide for themselves. A fifth theme of Simran is crime. The film explores the causes and effects of crime in society. It shows how crime can be motivated by various factors, such as poverty, greed, addiction, desperation, thrill, etc. It also shows how crime can have various consequences, such as violence, fear, guilt, arrest, etc. It also shows how crime can affect not only the criminals, but also their victims, families, friends, and society. The film also portrays Praful as a criminal who is not a typical villain or hero, but rather a human being who makes mistakes and faces dilemmas. The film does not condone or condemn Praful's crimes, but rather tries to understand and explain them. The film also raises questions about the morality and legality of crime, such as whether Praful is justified in robbing banks to pay off her debt, or whether Robert is right in arresting her for breaking the law. Conclusion
Simran is a film that offers a unique and refreshing take on the heist comedy-drama genre. It is a film that features a strong and complex female protagonist, who is played brilliantly by Kangana Ranaut. It is also a film that is directed skillfully by Hansal Mehta, who mixes humor and suspense, action and emotion, realism and fantasy, in the film. It is also a film that explores themes such as feminism, immigration, identity, freedom, and crime, in an entertaining and engaging way.
However, Simran is also a film that has its flaws and limitations. It is a film that lacks coherence and consistency in its plot and tone. It is also a film that borrows heavily from other sources and does not offer much originality or authenticity. It is also a film that has been marred by controversies and criticisms over its writing, editing, and production.
Overall, Simran is a film that has its strengths and weaknesses, its merits and demerits. It is a film that can be enjoyed by some people and disliked by others. It is a film that can be appreciated for its ambition and creativity, but also criticized for its execution and quality. It is a film that can be watched for its entertainment value, but also discussed for its social relevance.
FAQs
Where can I watch Simran online?
Simran is available to watch online on various streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, Zee5, etc. You can also rent or buy the film on YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, iTunes, etc.
Is Simran based on a true story?
Simran is loosely based on the true story of Sandeep Kaur, an Indian-American nurse who robbed several banks in the US under the alias of "Bombshell Bandit". She was arrested in 2014 and sentenced to 66 months in prison. However, the film does not follow the exact details of her life and crimes, but rather takes creative liberties and fictionalizes some aspects of the story.
What is the meaning of magari mufight auror in Simran?
Magari mufight auror is a phrase that Praful uses to rob banks in Simran. It means "I am very angry" in Gujarati, a language that is spoken by many people in Gujarat, a state in India. Praful uses this phrase to confuse the bank tellers and the authorities, as they do not understand what it means. She also uses it as a way of expressing her frustration and anger at her situation.
How did Simran perform at the box office and awards?
Simran was n