Inn Galiyon Mein Movie Review: A sincere effort undone by clichés
Inn Galiyon Mein Movie Review: Critics Rating: 3.0 stars, click to give your rating/review,More than a gripping narrative, it serves as a social commentary on cultural and religious dynamics.
Critic's Rating: 3.0/5
Story: Set in Lucknow, the film explores the harmony and close bonds between the Hindu and Muslim communities, who share their festivals, joys, and sorrows—until a politician disrupts their lives.
Review: ‘Inn Galiyon Mein’ is a sincere attempt at conveying a message of brotherhood. Set in the narrow lanes of old Lucknow, the film portrays a Hindu-Muslim community that has lived together for generations—until a politician's arrival disrupts their harmony. Subtly woven into the narrative are political undertones, explored through elements such as an interfaith love story, an India-Pakistan cricket match, and a wise elder who has witnessed the community's transformation over time.
Set in a lower middle-class neighbourhood of Lucknow, the story revolves around two closely-knit lanes where people of different faiths coexist with deep camaraderie. They stand by each other in times of sorrow and celebrate Holi with as much joy as Eid. Hariya (Vivaan Shah) and Shabbo (Avantika), both vegetable vendors, live in the same locality. Hariya, caught up in the social media 'reels' trend, also harbours a crush on Shabbo. However, Shabbo, an orphan, repeatedly dismisses his advances. The locality is also home to Mirza (Jaaved Jaaferi), a respected elder whose tea stall serves as a gathering spot for conversations and witty insights. He is trusted by people across communities. Trouble begins when Ajay Tiwari (Sushant Singh), a local politician with ambitions of becoming an MLA, arrives to campaign for the upcoming elections. Sensing his ulterior motives, Mirza warns the residents, but what follows has far-reaching consequences.
Director Avinash Das authentically captures the film’s milieu, making it feel grounded and believable. However, a strong start is undermined by a reliance on clichéd tropes towards the end. By portraying Mirza as a poet and a staunch believer in secularism, Das subtly presents him as a symbol of India's ethos. His death serves as a poignant statement on what is being lost. The character of Bhanga further reinforces this theme, illustrating how, in today’s world, those who speak wisdom are often dismissed as unstable. While the film effectively explores themes of brotherhood and division, a significant amount of time is wasted on the love angle—an element that feels unnecessary, given the film’s tight 100-minute runtime.
Jaaved Jaaferi excels as Mirza, delivering a convincing and honest performance filled with witty one-liners. As the wise tea stall owner who becomes a victim of fake news, his character serves as a beacon of reason in the story. Vivaan Shah portrays the lovelorn Hariya, while newcomer Avantika plays Shabbo—both do justice to their roles. However, their Lucknowi diction feels inconsistent and could have been more refined. Sushant Singh effectively embodies the scheming politician Ajay Tiwari. His scenes with his henchmen stand out as some of the film’s highlights, blending menace with moments of humour.
‘Inn Galiyon Mein’ is a sincere effort but offers little in terms of fresh appeal, as similar themes have been explored in many films before. While it has its moments, an average screenplay limits its impact. More than a gripping narrative, it serves as a social commentary on cultural and religious dynamics. Given the subject’s potential, the film needed a more innovative script—without it, it leans into familiar tropes.
Review: ‘Inn Galiyon Mein’ is a sincere attempt at conveying a message of brotherhood. Set in the narrow lanes of old Lucknow, the film portrays a Hindu-Muslim community that has lived together for generations—until a politician's arrival disrupts their harmony. Subtly woven into the narrative are political undertones, explored through elements such as an interfaith love story, an India-Pakistan cricket match, and a wise elder who has witnessed the community's transformation over time.
Set in a lower middle-class neighbourhood of Lucknow, the story revolves around two closely-knit lanes where people of different faiths coexist with deep camaraderie. They stand by each other in times of sorrow and celebrate Holi with as much joy as Eid. Hariya (Vivaan Shah) and Shabbo (Avantika), both vegetable vendors, live in the same locality. Hariya, caught up in the social media 'reels' trend, also harbours a crush on Shabbo. However, Shabbo, an orphan, repeatedly dismisses his advances. The locality is also home to Mirza (Jaaved Jaaferi), a respected elder whose tea stall serves as a gathering spot for conversations and witty insights. He is trusted by people across communities. Trouble begins when Ajay Tiwari (Sushant Singh), a local politician with ambitions of becoming an MLA, arrives to campaign for the upcoming elections. Sensing his ulterior motives, Mirza warns the residents, but what follows has far-reaching consequences.
Director Avinash Das authentically captures the film’s milieu, making it feel grounded and believable. However, a strong start is undermined by a reliance on clichéd tropes towards the end. By portraying Mirza as a poet and a staunch believer in secularism, Das subtly presents him as a symbol of India's ethos. His death serves as a poignant statement on what is being lost. The character of Bhanga further reinforces this theme, illustrating how, in today’s world, those who speak wisdom are often dismissed as unstable. While the film effectively explores themes of brotherhood and division, a significant amount of time is wasted on the love angle—an element that feels unnecessary, given the film’s tight 100-minute runtime.
Jaaved Jaaferi excels as Mirza, delivering a convincing and honest performance filled with witty one-liners. As the wise tea stall owner who becomes a victim of fake news, his character serves as a beacon of reason in the story. Vivaan Shah portrays the lovelorn Hariya, while newcomer Avantika plays Shabbo—both do justice to their roles. However, their Lucknowi diction feels inconsistent and could have been more refined. Sushant Singh effectively embodies the scheming politician Ajay Tiwari. His scenes with his henchmen stand out as some of the film’s highlights, blending menace with moments of humour.
‘Inn Galiyon Mein’ is a sincere effort but offers little in terms of fresh appeal, as similar themes have been explored in many films before. While it has its moments, an average screenplay limits its impact. More than a gripping narrative, it serves as a social commentary on cultural and religious dynamics. Given the subject’s potential, the film needed a more innovative script—without it, it leans into familiar tropes.
