Delhi in a Day (2011) User Reviews

I Thoroughly Enjoyed the Movie

[indraveer · 7/10 · 27 November 2016]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie due to great acting, outstanding characterization, a wonderful story and very realistic picturization of the two worlds of the Rich & Poor Delhites who are forced to interact due to mutual dependence but still are a world apart in their outlook. Interestingly, there was a bit of a news played during early part of the movie about Talwar case where truth about the double murder of Talwar daughter and a servant were suppressed by the parents and the police to hide the family dirty laundry. This story was no different where saving the reputation of their daughter was much more important than the life of a servant who had served the family well for twenty years. Rohini comes out and says so to Jasper in harsh words that their lives are worthless and they don't mean anything to anyone. The true India that Jasper came to see by traveling to Varanasi and beyond did not have to be done. He learnt that the image of Spiritual India that he had in his mind and wanted to explore by visiting Varanasi existed in his mind and books only. The real India he witnessed in this crucible where masters and servants represented a cross section of India was nowhere close to any spiritualism. The masters were phony anglicized Indians indulging in hollow chats at parties and the servants were at the mercy of their immoral masters who had no decency or any sense of fairness. What I loved about this movie was also the imagery of Delhi streets and neighborhoods that is sprinkled all over the movie. It makes you feel that you have seen and felt the city after watching the movie just like you feel that you 'know' the characters of the movie. A must watch movie if you are into art movies.

Didn't like the ending

[tailornanda · 7/10 · 27 September 2016]

I was enjoying this simple film, until the ending. When Jasper said he found the money, I can't understand how the mom stayed quiet about the money when she knows very well that her daughter had already taken it. It was all of Jasper's life savings, and knowing that, the mom did not return it to him when he left Delhi. I know she was trying to protect her daughter, but it still teaches bad values to take all of one's $ quietly for selfish reasons. She could have pulled him to a corner and returned the $, but why act like all was well. The rest of the film was fine, and acting was all good. I enjoy seeing Hindi films that are different from the typical Bollywood movies.

A disappointment in the end

[hrhkalways · 4/10 · 24 November 2017]

Of late there has been a frustrating line up of movies which show a lot of potential. They start well, ride well, but somewhere along the way it seems as if...they just lost the energy to take to the right place and just give up after 60% movie is done. Its as everyone is in a hurry to pack up and go. This movie follows the same path. Starts well, shows promise, tries a few tricks..then gives up and just ends the game.

What beats me is don't they have a network of well wishers who they can run this with before subjecting the unwitting audience to this disappointment? Why?

I don't know what recommendation to give. Better just save your time and enjoy yourself while reading the comments...they are more fun than the movie.

A Must see for all

[lt-rita-gangwani · 10/10 · 11 June 2012]

Prashant Nair has done a wonderful job as the Director of the film. One would not like to blink an eye throughout ,least you miss out on something...:).....A captivating film with an excellent story line and talented cast. The director has captured the true spirit of Delhi life and one gets to see and experience some great everyday Delhi situations hands on. The movie has an excellent moral to it and will leave you thinking seriously on a lot of social issues and about nouveau-riche Delhi crowd. Each and every character has done true justice to his/ her role. A must see...a different film which may not be a typical Bollywood masala film, but something which touches your soul.

A good movie where you write your ending - or not.

[hinaly02 · 8/10 · 14 November 2016]

Good story line, very well directed. Casting is very good. Lillette and Kulbashan are always good to watch. Each of the servants is a character and at least three are new to the screen. To the reviewer before me, Tailornanda, I would like to ask what do you think was in the package that Kalpana gave to Jasper when he was leaving? That was the beauty of this film. You have to use your imagination and fill in the blanks as you go along. Similarly, you are left to imagine what happens to Rohini when she goes to that area and the door closes behind her. Yes, it is different from the typical Bollywood movies. This could be a real life story. The difference between the rich and the poor is very real.

Only for those who are beyond the prejudices.

[Ronald-Saraswat · 10/10 · 25 November 2018]

Read this review if you've watched the movie.

If you keep an open mind and watched this movie. It will change you like an actual visit to India could. It shows the intricate reality of the rich and poor divide. How, culture and those with power could exploit the week section of the society and that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

It has only helped me grow my respect towards my own country and I'd invite any one to watch this movie only if you are welcoming to the harsh realities of life. Brilliant made. Don't pay heed to the bad reviews. They don't know what they are saying mostly.

Enjoyed this movie and liked the ending

[shaunaruss · 8/10 · 31 May 2019]

Sometimes we are all short-sighted and see the world in terms of that which is local to ourselves. The young are often guilty of this because they have limited world experience - their world is often Hometown, parent's house, schools and eventually place of employment. It takes awhile to begin to really see what the rest of the world is like. This movie does an excellent job of laying out a few truths about relationships between people of different socio-economic classes in an honest and open manner. My mini lecture at the beginning is in response to other reviewers limiting this reality to their country alone. People are people are people and there are all kinds of people distributed throughout the earth. In the USA, in the UK, in Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan and certainly China you see the same prejudicial and hateful attitudes between those with more money and the poor that they use and often abuse. However, it's also the truth that there are many wealthy employers throughout the world who care for their employees & treat everyone they meet with kindness and respect (at least until they have evidence that the person is not respectful of others and does not deserve respect).

A previous reviewer correctly pointed out that the mother was setting a horrible example for her daughter - she could have stood by her daughter and encouraged her to do the moral and right thing, but instead she showed that she herself was a liar and an accomplice to a thief - terrible to show that without guilt or conscience! And, we know that her daughter was not raised correctly because she chose to steal rather than earn or ask for money her boyfriend wanted. And the boyfriend? You don't even need to meet him to know that he is a loser who will take money from a girlfriend rather he knew it was stolen or not. She's not his wife, they don't share a bank account; I'm afraid they will only proceed to disappoint and hurt each other because of their lack of integrity.

I liked the use of contrasts in the movie: Mukund is the oblivious character who really does not pay attention to those around him - he never notices the false laughter for his supply of jokes, nor does he see how his wife, Kalpana, treats their faithful, hard working servants. Kalpana and the daughter plot and plan to decieve, they are even willing to steal freedom from a person by framing him for the theft! Then you see the love between Rohini and grandfather; she literally risks her life, her safety and her very dignity to help her grandfather not suffer for a crime she knows he didn't commit. And, Jasper, a bit surprised, a bit oblivious, but with a kind heart and good intentions.

After we get that out of the way, I really enjoyed the movie because it does provide an open look at common people, the actors were good and oh, I love the shots of Delhi. I'm a disabled, senior who had to give up plans of travel in my "golden" years, but I've been a dedicated reader all my life and good books & good movies helped me develop a sense of the world throughout my life. My jobs afforded me the blessing of encountering all types of people and learning not to be quickly disappointed or angry because: people are people are people - there are good and bad, kind and hateful, moral & lacking integrity every where you look! Even in these later years, I miss not having been to and possibly settled down in India. I am grateful for all that America has given me, but there is something that has always intrigued me and drawn me to Indian food, the languages, the people, the good and the bad. So, obviously, I greatly enjoy Indian cinema now and I'm learning Hindi in spite of the Devanagari alphabet! Tee hee hee!

Even though this review has a warning for spoilers, I'm not going to give my interpretation of the ending or even guess about Angeli Patil's (Rohini) very beautiful smile! I think the ending was perfect for each of us in the state of mind we happen to be in as we're watching it.