Kalki Koechlin’s Margarita With A Straw is garnering appreciation from all quarters.
Also Read: Bollywood Couples At Kalki Koechlin’s Margarita With A Straw Screening
The film has received critical acclaim as well as praises from audiences all across.
The film opened to Rs 45 lakhs on Friday. The collections grew to Rs 67 lakhs on Saturday and further grew to Rs 85 lakhs on Sunday.
The total first weekend collections of Margarita With A Straw is Rs 1.97 crore (Rs 19.7 million)
It has been receiving an overwhelming response and all those who have watched the film have loved it.
Kalki Koechlin’s Margarita With a Straw Wins Accolades
Margarita, with a Straw starring Kalki Kolechin and directed by Shonali Bose won the NETPAC award for Best Asian Film at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival.
The film is about a young romantic rebel in a wheelchair. Undeterred by cerebral palsy, she embarks on exhilarating adventures of self discovery. The film has received raving reviews and a thunderous response from all quarters.
“Margarita, with a Straw is both universal and groundbreaking. Director Shonali Bose and actressKalki Koechlin have jointly created a character and a world that embody a love letter to life, with all its highs and lows, in spite of overwhelming physical limitations.”
Movies like Margarita, with a Straw are rare gems. The film addresses cerebral palsy, death, and sexuality, without superficiality. While many films may exploit these topics, this movie offers a fresh and much needed take. Laila—literally—gives society the finger as she addresses her desires and doesn’t conform to the prejudice of “normalcy.”
Margarita, With a Straw has also been officially selected at the 58th BFI London Film Festival and the 19th Busan International Film Festival. The film’s stellar cast also includes veteran star Revathy, Hollywood actor William Moseley (lead of the Narnia Chronicles) and the talented new face Sayani Gupta in pivotal roles.
Here Is Our Review On The Film:
This coming-of-age story follows the life of Laila (Kalki Koechlin), a spunky, talented and largely confident teenager who, like her peers, is sexually curious and ready to find her own feet. It just so happens that Laila has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair.
Also Read: Photos: Special Screening of Margarita With A Straw
When Laila gets admission to New York University, she leaves the security of her Delhi family and home, and also leaves behind heartbreak and rejection, to start a new, more independent life. While her mother (Revathy) accompanies her initially, eventually Laila must make her own decisions and find her own way around in this new world. This includes a relationship with the feisty Khanum (Sayani Gupta), who happens to be visually impaired, and fellow classmate Jared (William Moseley).
At the end of the semester Laila and Khanum go to India to see the latter’s family and reveal the nature of their relationship to Laila’s mother. But the secrets and lies become meaningless when crisis and loss hit the family. In this moment, Laila finally finds her true self and strength and comes to terms with loneliness and self-worth.
Director Shonali Bose succeeds in addressing important issues (portrayed cleverly in the differences between the life of a differently-abled in New Delhi and New York) while keeping the spirit of the film largely joyous, frothy and feel-good. The emotions and concerns are universal and the performances add texture to this (script by Bose and Nilesh Maniyar). Sayani Gupta makes an impact in her role as the supportive partner while Revathy delivers just the right pitch as the protective mother learning to let her child go. Kalki Koechlin’s hard work is undeniable and it’s hard to separate the actor from Laila.
Barring a few overwrought moments and a cheesy ending, camerawork by Anne Misawa and music by Mikey McCleary add texture and rhythm to this surprisingly entertaining and forthright film.
Rating: ***
