Mr. Kabaadi

Mr. Kabaadi is a satirical comedy-drama movie released in 2017 that features a powerful cast of veteran actors including Annu Kapoor, Om Puri, and Rajveer Singh. Under the directorial scope of renowned director Seema Kapoor, the film successfully puts together an interesting story that revolves around the conventional, yet often ignored, Kabaadi-wala profession. "Kabaadi", a term widely used in India, refers to a person involved in the trade of buying and selling scraps.

The storyline focuses on Kallu Kabaadiwala (played by the late Om Puri), who is a rag picker frequently seen on the streets of Bhopal city. In contrast to the usual depiction of rag pickers as uneducated and unfortunate, Kallu's character is an exceptional one. He's a man bestowed with knowledge- an ocean of wisdom that he has gathered over years of reading the contents of the paper he picks and sells for a living. From philosophical quotes, wise proverbs to significant national and international news, Kallu’s remarkable knowledge astonishes everyone in the city. His simplicity, humility, and rich wisdom make him a well-respected figure within his community.

A twist in the story occurs when Kallu Kabaadiwala earns an unexpected fortune. Despite acquiring an affluent lifestyle, he neither gives up his occupation nor his simple lifestyle. Instead, he decides to upscale his father's occupation to a full-scale well-organised business and subsequently named it “Mr. Kabaadi” to embrace his newfound wealth. With this, the movie takes an interesting turn, resulting in numerous comical situations arising from this drastic elevation in his socio-economic status.

Annu Kapoor portrays the character of Kallu’s brother, who tries to pivot away from Kallu's decision to retain the Kabaadi business. His character is designed around the typical affluent citizen who is embarrassed by his family business and wishes to shake off any connection with it. He is eager to embrace modernity and desperately tries to distance himself from the tag of being a Kabaadiwala at the cost of forgetting his roots. Adding another layer to the narrative, Rajveer Singh portrays the role of an educated young man who is passionately in love with Kallu’s daughter.

The film does a remarkable job in capturing the spirit of Bhopal, widely known as the "city of lakes." Mr. Kabaadi successfully sheds light on the complexities of society’s different strata as Kallu grapples with extreme wealth and identity. The culture, dialect, and authentic depiction of the city resonate with the storyline, adding another flavor to the movie.

Om Puri, Annu Kapoor, and Rajveer Singh give commendable performances, and their characters are brilliantly woven into the narrative. The cast also includes other notable actors such as Vinay Pathak, Sarika and Brijendra Kala, whose performances add colours to the spectrum that the movie has to offer. The film also stands as Om Puri’s last completed project before the veteran actor's untimely demise.

Moreover, the film attempts to speculate on the socioeconomic disparities, criticizing the exploitation and stigmatization of the underprivileged engaged in small-scale employment. The depiction of a kabaadiwala’s life and his struggle to elevate his lifestyle forms the essence of the narrative, making the audience reflect upon the overlooked and underserved sectors of society.

In conclusion, Mr. Kabaadi is a unique kaleidoscope of satire, comedy and drama, showcasing not just a beautiful depiction of the unique culture, and the charm of Bhopal city, but also a heartfelt story of a common man striving to uphold his humble roots while navigating the challenging path to prosperity and success. The movie’s insightful and compelling narrative, sprinkled with humorous, emotion-filled scenes, makes it a worthwhile watch.