Sui Dhaaga review: Slightly staid but heartwarming story of underdog couple

Sharat Katariya narrated the heartwarming story of a small-town couple and their families in the most endearing way in Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015). The director has attempted to do the same with Sui Dhaaga: Made In India.

Using almost the same tropes as in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Katariya tells the story of an underdog couple who prove a point to the world at a contest during the film's climax.

The two films are also structurally similar. The warm depiction of a dysfunctional middle-class family and the evolution of a small-town couple's relationship are at the core of this story as well.

Mauji (Varun Dhawan), who is constantly ridiculed by his sewing-machine storeowner's son, is urged by wife Mamta (Anushka Sharma) to do more dignified work after she sees him being mocked in public at a wedding.

Mauji comes from a family of failed handicraft businessmen, and his father (Raghuvir Yadav) had sworn off it when Mauji's grandfather lost everything to it. Mamta, who appears to be a docile person until she shows her resilience and strong will, encourages her husband to dream big and put his sewing skills to use by turning entrepreneur.

Even as Mauji and Mamta begin dreaming about their own garment business, Mauji's mother's medical bills and the couple's familial duties begin to weigh them down, forcing them to take up a steady job.

But as is expected all along, the strong-willed couple fights to make its dreams come true.

Raghuvir Yadav and Yamini Das are easily the most likeable performers, creating some enjoyable moments on screen. Once again, as has been seen in several recent films, a talented supporting cast props the film up.

The complicated father-son relationship is portrayed quite beautifully by the director, and the love story is sweet, too. Dhawan's earnestness and his quality to be endearing on screen works for him again.

Sharma's character's journey — from a housewife who had never really stepped out of home to a business and life partner who joins hands with her husband to achieve success — is a great graph for a character. And she does well in most parts, especially when she is required to hold back.

Katariya's writing is infused with serendipitous moments and advocates having hope in the face of adversity. Mauji lands his first sewing assignment at the hospital where his mother is being treated, and the couple learn about a fashion fund contest from the same person who is exploiting them and causing misery.

The director also incorporates a few important points like the exploitation of skilled craftsmen from small towns and villages by designers, the lack of dignity of labour and the importance of 'making in India' in some touching scenes. Anu Malik's music has an old world charm and complements Katariya's sweet world.

The emotional moments and complex situations are handled with a certain lightness, making you believe all along in what Mauji loves to say — sab badhiya hai [all is well]!

The climax is dealt with in quite a naive manner. So, while Sui Dhaaga is heartwarming, a little more fun would have done the film a whole lot of good.

Mauji's predecessors had failed to keep up with the times, but Katariya's lead pair sets an example for the current generation, especially those beyond the urban landscape: stop being exploited, step out and explore the tremendous opportunities on offer and craft your own future. The journey will not be without adversity, but it will surely be a lot more rewarding. At its core, Sui Dhaaga is earnest and inspiring.