Dry day (2023) movie review
After taking a break for more than 10 years, Saurabh Shukla is making a comeback as a writer and director. His latest project on the OTT platform is called 'Dry Day'. He has roped in talented actors like Jitendra Kumar, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Annu Kapoor to bring this social drama to life. Before it was even released, the movie had everyone excited. People were talking about it a lot online. Finally, on December 22, it started streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Let's dive into what you need to know about this film.
Dry Day Review
The movie kicks off in a funny way in a small town named Jagodhar. There's this guy, Gannu (played by Jitendra Kumar), who works for a politician named Dauji (played by Annu Kapoor). Gannu decides to go on a hunger strike to ban alcohol in the town, but there's a twist – he's actually a big fan of the stuff, and he admits it publicly after a wild night of drinking. Things get interesting when his protest gains attention, and he becomes a hero for local women fed up with their husbands' drinking habits. The story revolves around Gannu facing challenges, including dealing with withdrawal symptoms and resisting the urge to drink again. On top of that, he has to deal with Dauji and his crew who run a local liquor store and are not happy with Gannu's campaign.
The best film, written and directed by Saurabh Shukla, spends the first half showing Gannu trying to build a good image to win a local election. His silly plans and drunken antics, along with his friends Chainta, Kunne, Maddi, and Jagat, make for some entertaining moments. However, the story takes a bit of time to get fully settled in and find a solid direction.
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Even though the movie talks about alcoholism, it doesn't emphasize the issue enough, which can make certain scenes feel sudden and not very convincing as the story unfolds. The narrative has too many storylines and sometimes relies on overused themes and cliches, especially in the climax.
Saurabh Shukla, who directs the film, does a good job of shifting the tone smoothly from being funny to more serious. The cinematographer, Adri Thakur, captures the small-town atmosphere perfectly, creating beautiful visuals from high and wide angles.
Jitendra Kumar gives a solid performance, playing a troublemaker in the first half and a changed man in the second. He shines in scenes where he tries to improve but struggles with his flaws and bad habits. Shriya Pilgaonkar, playing his wife Nirmala, does a commendable job, and the on-screen chemistry between them feels natural. Annu Kapoor stands out as the politician, portraying the act of being a supportive and caring senior convincingly. Shrikant Verma also deserves praise for his role as the cunning liquor shop owner.
While the movie has its entertaining moments, it could have been more captivating. Nevertheless, it's worth watching once for the portrayal of the small-town world and its quirky vibe.