Without the typical song sequences characteristic of many Bollywood films, such as DDLJ, Amar Akbaar Anthony, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham), English Vinglish has an overall more modern and realistic take on Bollywood cinema. Unlike most Bollywood films, this movie provided no extradiegetic scenes and existed in a realistic world. In many ways this film strays from the characteristics of a typical Bollywood movie. Due to the confidence provided by her classmates and her improved English, Shashi finally gains the respect of her family. As a married woman, Shashi must decide whether or not to act upon her feelings toward Laurent. Laurent, a French man, in particular grows close to Shashi and develops romantic feelings. Although from different backgrounds, the class builds a strong relationship towards one another as they feel a connection to one another due to their similar struggle and desire to learn English. In New York she decides participate in a four-week English class with other non-native speakers. The film follows Shashi as she travels from India to New York for her nieceï¿ 1/2(TM)s wedding. Godbole) with guest star Amitabh Bachchan. The other characters are played by Mehdi Nebbou (Laurent), Adil Hussain (Satish Godbole), Priya Anand (Rahda), Sujata Kumar (Manu), and Sulabha Deshpande (Mrs.
Starring Sridevi as Shashi Godbole, a married woman whose children and spouse mock her inability to speak English. Down ArrowĮnglish Vinglish encapsulates the difficulties encountered by many Indians who are unable to speak English.
It seemed as if Shashi had not made any significant modifications to her old life, which undermined her growth throughout the film. It was frustrating that she never had any sort of confrontation with her husband about his lack of respect for her. However, I did anticipate that her husband would come to realize that he had been taking her for granted. It would be incredibly unconventional to have Shashi simply abandon her family at the end of the film. Rosie Thomas asserts that in Bollywood films, a mother "is able to love and give unconditionally" as well as "keep the family and home together" (Thomas, "Melodrama and the Negotiation of Morality"). A traditional Bollywood mother will do anything for her family. I understand why Shashi decided to prioritize her family over her English classes, but it was still a bit disappointing to see her relinquish her independence. One part of the film that was not so pleasing to me was the ending. It was empowering to see that just because she has children does not mean that she can not have outside interests and passions. She is clearly proud of this work, as can be seen when she is overjoyed that she is called an entrepreneur by her English teacher. Although being a mother is a large part of Shashi's identity, it is not all that exists in her life. The film demonstrates that it is possible to have multifaceted female character in Bollywood. While a film like Mother India shows its audience the hardships that a mother can go through and demonstrates the unparalleled love that a mother has for her children, English Vinglish allows its central female character to be more than a mother. English Vinglish has a different view on motherhood than I have seen in other Bollywood films.