Okay, first go to your parents and tell them Tarla Dalal pe biopic bani hai and see their reaction. Now tell them it isn’t half as good as you are thinking, because that is the bitter truth. The film which starts off as a promising biopic into Tarla’s extraordinary journey, ends up being as bland as yellow daal without salt towards the end. While it does well to show us the struggles and triumphs of this middle-class Mumbai homemaker, we hardly get to know Tarla Dalal the person. It’s a wholesome meal, but lacks the crackles and sizzles for it to stand out.
Plot
In “Tarla,” we meet the young, spirited Tarla Dalal (Huma Qureshi), jisko ‘zindagi mein kuch toh karna hai, but abhi pata nahi kya.’ But while she is figuring her life out, tab tak uski shaadi kara di jaati hai, sigh. However, the silver spoon in this shaadi is her supportive husband, Nalin (Sharib Hashmi) who agrees fully support her in whatever she wants to do, whenever she wants to do. And that’s what Tarla is about– how they navigate personal and social obstacles together as Tarla makes way into everyone’s kitchen, slowly but steadily. The film beautifully captures Tarla’s journey, filled with disappointments, setbacks, and discoveries.
Performances
Huma Qureshi is literally chef’s kiss as Tarla Dalal, as there’s this warmth about her that makes you feel for her struggles. She is determined, but has her moments of weaknesses, which feels very relatable from a middle-class person’s eyes. For the last five years, Sharib Hashmi has been one actor I’ve really fell in love with. And to see him get bigger, more recognized roles makes me feel so happy. He is equally impressive as Nalin, bringing in that soft-natured vibe that’s compatible with Tarla’s vulnerability. Their chemistry crackles, providing a solid foundation that prevents the film from becoming stale. Safe to say it’s the cast that does the heavy-lifting in this rather bland screenplay.
Screenplay
This is where things start going down the drain. We get the fact that you’re trying to show the range of challenges faced by Tarla and Nalin, but it lacks the spices to be truly saddening. You never really feel invested in their struggles as it feels kinda superficial. Plus, for a movie on the OG chef Tarla Dalal, where are the muh mein paani laane wale food shots? The movie lacks those yum scenes, and its best attempt at those is when Nalin is eating chicken in his canteen. The pacing is quick at some places and slow af in others, making for an uneven watch. Plus there is no room for surprises. The plot follows the ‘ab ye hua, ab ye hoga, phir aise hoga’ kinda plot, making you feel like you’re watching small anime-sized episodes stitched together to make a movie.
Writing
Similar to the screenplay, the writing in “Tarla” is like a recipe missing a few secret ingredients. While the film showcases Tarla’s passion for cooking, it leaves us wanting more insight into her philosophy of life. Why does she opt for a softer approach to feminism instead of being a rebel? And why does it take her a whopping 12 years to find her calling? Hum Tarla ki kahaani ko toh jaan lete hai, but we never really get to know Tarla herself. There’s this hunger for a more flavorful exploration of Tarla’s inspiring profession, her mastery of foreign cuisines, and her influence on men to explore the kitchen. Yes, there are heartwarming moments, but there was so much more left unexplored ki it feels like bina oregano ki pizza de di ho.
Overall, “Tarla” is a dish that could have used some extra seasoning. Despite its tasty ingredients, the film falls short of being a mouthwatering feast. Wo feel hi missing hai movie se. The undercooked plot, episodic structure, and occasionally plain writing hold it back from reaching its full potential. Huma and Sharib try their best, but Tarla ji’s extra-ordinary journey deserved a better biopic to be honest. It’s a meh one time watch at best.
