Hope and a Little Sugar

Cast : Amit Sial, Mahima Chaudhry, Vikram Chatwal Director : Tanuja Chandra Producer : n.a Genre : Release Date : -----

Synopsis Set in New York in the weeks before and after 9/11, this poignant tale of love set against the forces of hate and intolerance centers on the romance between an aspiring Muslim photographer and a young Sikh woman. Bike messenger, Ali Siddiqui (AMIT SIAL, debutant) meets the beautiful but married Saloni (MAHIMA CHAUDHRY,) a charismatic mithaai shop owner who encourages Ali's photography and becomes his muse. Despite Ali's secret and largely unrequited crush on Saloni, he develops a close friendship with her and her husband Harry (VIKRAM CHATWAL). But when tragedy strikes with the terrorist attacks on Sept 11, 2001, her father-in-law, a retired army Colonel (ANUPAM KHER), devastated by grief and anger, directs his longstanding animosity towards Muslims at Ali, as the young man's affection for Saloni grows increasingly evident. Although the Colonel's wife (SUHASINI MULAY) bravely tries to pacify her husband, the Colonel, unable to accept life's pain, threatens to bring everything to a violent end. An emotional drama, Hope and a Little Sugar is written and directed by TANUJA CHANDRA, for whom this is her first English language film। Joining Chandra behind the scenes is a seasoned film crew, including cinematographer NIRMAL JANI, who had earlier shot Dushman and Sur for her, as well as Costume Stylist, ANAITA SHROFF ADAJANIA (Dhoom, Race, Being Cyrus.) The producers for the film are two independent film-makers living in New York, SCOTT PARDO and GLENN RUSSOW, while the editor is HILLARY PEABODY. The music is by WAYNE SHARPE, New York based musician, who has also composed the background score of Prakash Jha's Gangajal (for which he won a Filmfare award) and Afghan filmmaker Jawad Wassal's Firedancer. Joining him in composing as well as in playback singing in some of the film's tracks are accomplished singers, SONU NIIGAAM and JASBIR JASSI. Reviews Hope and A Little Sugar is set in New York city and spans the life of a Sikh family who lose their son in 9/11. The film begins with a bike messenger Ali Siddiqui (Amit Sial) bumping into Saloni (Mahima Chaudhry) who mistakes him on the first glance as someone else. Mesmerized by her charm Ali takes up her invitation to join the family at a part taking place at Saloni’s home later that evening. However, while Ali harbours a crush on the much married Saloni, soon the truth about Ali’s real identity is revealed to all. Despite that Ali soon becomes a close friend of Saloni’s husband, Harry, (Vikram Chatwal), her father in law, Colonel Vir Oberoi (Anupam Kher) and the mother in law Mira (Suhasini Mulay). Colonel Vir Oberoi is a typical retired army personnel who wears his heart on his sleeve the choicest abuses at the tip of his tongue! And just when things are going fine in the Oberoi family, Harry dies in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Unable to deal with the loss of his son, the Colonel begins to direct his anger towards all Muslims and especially Ali who is a part of his daughter in law’s life. Seeing a strong bond form between Saloni and Ali, the Colonel takes it in his own hands to kill Siddique to stop the possibility of any romance blossoming. However on his way over to settle things with Ali – who happens to be spending Christmas Eve with Saloni at his home – the Colonel becomes a victim of racial violence himself. This changes his thought about Ali. Over all Tanuja’s story line and concept are great. However what it lacks is a punch and longer screenplay to really hit home the film and its message. Certain areas like the Colonel’s immediate hatred towards Ali just because he is a Muslim seems a bit far fetched because having spent time in the Indian army it is hard to believe that he wouldn’t have interacted with them. Also Ali’s acting doesn’t leave you very convinced of either his love for Saloni or his ability to stand up for himself. Even his confession of love seems almost school kid like. So while there maybe some hope for the film amongst the festival audiences it does still feel like a serving of little hope and lots of artificial sweetener at the end of the day!