Film Review: Aachari Baa [Mum’s Pickles]

This film, streaming on Jio Hotstar, seems packed with all the ingredients that go into making a delicious pickle to complement an Indian meal.

Jaishnaviben, popular in her Gujarati city of Rapar as Baa (mum) with the magic touch behind delicious home-made pickle recipes, has built strong community bonds with her fellow chefs. Her nightly routine involves making two cups of tea and having an imaginary conversation with her late husband, whom she misses sorely.

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She is also quietly pining for their son, sucked up by the corporate world in Mumbai with very little time for his wife and son, let alone his elderly mother in his home town. After his nagging wife convinces him to take a family holiday in Darjeeling, there is just one hitch – no available carers or creches for their dog Jenny. The only solution seems to be to initiate contact with Baa to invite her over to dog-sit for them.

Unaware of this ulterior motive, Baa instantly jumps at the idea of making the train journey to Mumbai to meet her grandson Kaushal (Sharma) after a long hiatus. As the facts become obvious, Baa soon adjusts to her new reality and manages to befriend Jenny despite her childhood dread of dogs. In the absence of her own family, she finds immense warmth and friendship amidst her neighbours, including a retired military man Brijesh Malhotra (Bedi) and his granddaughter. Soon, her accidental social media fame thanks to a viral pickle-making video opens new doors for Baa, who decides to embrace new technology and new beginnings with open arms.

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This slice-of-life tale of an ageing parent feeling neglected by her family and finding deep emotional connections with strangers will strike a chord with a universal audience. The biggest winner, however, is Neena Gupta’s pitch-perfect performance as the determined and enterprising central character of Baa.

While the pace of the film might feel patchy in parts, it is Gupta’s assured hold over the central theme that sees it through to a satisfying climax.