Tiku Weds Sheru

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*Sherdil* (2023), directed by Sai Kabir, takes us through the grim reality of the Bollywood underworld through the life of Shiraz Khan Afghani 'Sheru' (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Sheru, a junior artiste from a fallen royal family, dreams of a better life despite living in a Mumbai chawl. His companion is his cat, Elizabeth, who appears completely uninterested in his escapades. Sheru’s life takes a turn when he marries Tiku (Avneet Kaur), a small-town girl from Bhopal who dreams of becoming a star. She agrees to the marriage in exchange for an escape from her conservative family and a way to get to Mumbai, where she is pregnant with her lover’s child. Sheru, who presents himself as a film financier, is actually a pimp supplying girls to shady politicians and underworld figures. His plunge into the drug trade lands him in jail, leaving Tiku to fend for herself in the dark world of prostitution. Sheru eventually comes to her rescue, stepping into a heroic Bollywood-like role in a final, escapist twist.

The film initially begins as a comedy, showing Sheru’s dreams of stardom, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal of the character elicits some light-hearted moments. However, the tone shifts dramatically as the story delves into the grim realities of the film industry. Sheru’s dual life as a pimp and a struggling artiste, and Tiku’s exploitation by a ruthless producer, paints a bleak picture of the industry's darker side. The film feels like an exploration of the cutthroat world where dreams are often crushed, and survival means making morally dubious choices. The screenplay, however, becomes inconsistent as the movie shifts genres, starting as a comedy and then morphing into a tragic tale, only to end with an unlikely Bollywood-style rescue that feels far too convenient and fantastical.

Despite the plot’s unevenness, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s performance holds the film together. He breathes life into Sheru, making him a character you root for despite his flaws. Avneet Kaur as Tiku also delivers a strong performance, transitioning from a naive girl to a woman hardened by betrayal and exploitation. The film is ultimately driven by their sincerity and intensity, though the narrative struggles to maintain focus and balance.

*Sherdil* is worth watching if you're interested in exploring the underbelly of Bollywood and seeing strong performances by its leads, but the film’s fluctuating tone and uneven storyline may leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied.