mithu lahiri

Hilarious movie! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was witty in its stab at South Asian patriarchy, regressive traditionalisms, etc. The actors' delivery of every line was on point and the action and stunts were great! Whoever is griping about how the director shouldn't have portrayed a Muslim family because there are no Islamic traditions followed in the movie, has never met a secular Muslim. I know plenty who drink and don't wear hijabs or buqas. I know plenty of really cool South Asians (Muslim, Hindu, atheist and other) as well as plenty of South Asian hypocrites of all creeds. In any case, this takes place in the UK. There are a lot more secular Muslims there than there are in India/Pakistan or anywhere else and this movie seems to portray just that, with some liberties taken by the director. Ria and Lena's family seemed to be quite progressive and Salim's family, though ultra-rich and living in a haveli in England that could easily rival any on the subcontinent, harbour regressive ideas about the roles males and females play in society. It's a commentary about so many things - 1) how South Asians think about certain professions and what is suitable according to gender; 2) the hypocrisy of the good South Asian boy who is doing such great things in life but is really a spineless cad who sits and stands at the direction of his mum; 4) the South Asian girl who gives up on a dream because her parents and potential in-laws are discouraging her from pursuing it in favour of a potentially easy life by getting married to an ultra-rich mummy's boy. Ria's relationship with her sister is very close and unlike what some people are saying about the movie taking an unexpected turn with it being sweet in the beginning and doing a 180 later - NO. Ria loves her sister and will defend her to the death. That's why she spies on Raheela and Salim. That's why she employs her friends to do stakeouts with her. That's why she fights Raheela. It's also why the acting is over the top - because she's a teenager for goodness sake! Every teenager I know sees things in a more dramatic way; and in this film, Ria's life was about to become dramatic in a way that she didn't want. All this is tied up in a hilarious, action-packed big ruby red bow. If you have a sense of humour and like action, but don't want blood and gore and understand Brits of South Asian origin, who are more secular than traditional and have assimilated into British society, I would highly recommend this "fillum" :D :D