Released Date : 7 July, 2023
Avg. User's Rating : 3.5/5
The Tarla Story: Based on the life of the late Tarla Dalal, the film chronicles her journey from a humble housewife to one of India's most famous chefs, who spread the magic of her vegetarian recipes across the globe.
Tarla Review: Tarla Dalal (played by Huma Qureshi) became a household name for her vegetarian recipes that fed many singles who were deprived of home-cooked meals and helped young women impress their in-laws and husbands to get their way after marriage. The story begins in a modest setting in Ahmedabad where a young Tarla Shah is yearning to do something in life but doesn't know what to do. Before realizing it, she is married to Nalin Dalal (Sharib Hashmi), a quality manager in Mumbai. This is India in the 70s when women were married before they finished college and men were expected to find wives to cook and clean after them. And that's exactly what happens to Tarla, whose dreams of "doing something" in life are long forgotten, as she becomes busy tending to her home and raising three children. Until one day he realizes that it's not too late.
Director Piyush Gupta skillfully sets the stage for a time when patriarchal norms ruled and women's dreams were often pushed on the back burner. Although we have come a long way since then, it is not surprising to witness this situation even today - where a woman is expected to be 10/10 as a homemaker, no matter how hard she works in her professional life or how high she rises. The film takes us to a bygone era that adds a touch of nostalgia and a pinch of relatability that will especially resonate with Mumbaikars.
Authors Piyush Gupta and Gautam Ved have created a narrative that warms the heart and whets the appetite for a winning story. Although the storytelling burns at a slow pace, it allows for moments of small triumph that leave a satisfying aftertaste. Huma Qureshi wears the chef's apron with finesse, delivering an impressive performance that perfectly balances genuine emotion and avoids an excess of melodrama. Along with him, Sharib Hashmi adds an unconventional flavor, giving the film an unconventional portrayal that inspires the audience with its progressive outlook on life and relationships. In fact, Hashmi has some of the best moments in the film and she owns them. Some of the dialogues in the latter half of the movie need to be on top of the story.
It's surprisingly low on mouth-watering visuals of gastronomic delights. In a story centered around the culinary world, one would expect a visual feast that tantalizes the senses. Tarla's story was about a typical middle-class housewife with no ups and downs, they should have focused more on celebrating her success instead of limiting the screenplay to how she got there. The narrative spends too much time setting him up for success and less time for us to revel in Tarla's ultimate victory. A recipe book, followed by a cooking show on television was definitely a big thing but Tarla Dalal also ventured into the digital space with her own YouTube channel. Film doesn't touch it. After all, he had the first mover advantage.
Despite these minor quibbles, the film leaves a sweet and engaging aftertaste. Like a balanced Gujarati thali, it offers a bit of everything, providing a satisfying and convenient experience. The music (by Suhit Abhayankar, Neelotpal Bora and Rohan Vinayak) adds a sweet and simple tone to the on-screen proceedings, matching the narrative beautifully.
In conclusion, 'Tarla' serves up a decent cinematic treat, reminding us of the power of following our passions and breaking free from societal constraints. It's a culinary adventure that celebrates the legacy of a remarkable woman whose perseverance was the secret ingredient to her success.
