'Zor Lagaa Ke... Haiya' is a nice children's film. The title is deceptive inasmuch as it doesn't clearly convey the social message behind the movie. More than the kids, the adults could learn a lot from this movie about the ecosystem including global warming, forestation, slum rehabilitation, child labor and corruption leading to widespread tree-cutting.The movie focuses on the kids who are otherwise well taken care of and contended in their lives. Among these kids are Karan (Meghan) is the group leader, Ritesh (Ritvik Tyagi), Laddu (Hardik Thakkar) besides the only female character Priya (Ayesha Kaduskar).
Incidentally, all the kids are virtually afraid of bearded beggar Mithun Chakravarthy who they describe as Raavana. The kids plan to build a tree house. The kids build their small place atop the tree. But soon Raavan (Mithun) the beggar encroaches their tree house. However, the wisdom prevails over Raavan who joins hands with the kids and forms a common platform to save their tree house. Coincidentally, Bakshi played by Gulshan Grover and his associate Gupta played by Mahesh Manjrekar plan to cut the tree for building an access road to their new tower. The kids and Raavan jointly frustrate their move.
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This is to recall that the movie's title 'Zor Lagaa Ke... Haiya' is repeated by the labor when they collectively undertake a huge task. At this juncture, the kids as well as their associate Raavan carry on their fight as one common labor by raising their collective slogan in their fight against the evil design of the builder mafia. Thus, they convey through the movie the social message of 'save trees', so vital for maintaining the world climate from turning warm and creating a disaster for all of us who are living on the earth. Isn't it essential to beware the future generation about the problems faced by us so that they help in maintaining the natural habitat?
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The Next Gen (the kids) will not be mute spectators like the elders to the cutting or the killing of trees and the deforestation move. They will rather prevent others from harming the ecology and propagate the benefits of remaining green. The director in Girish Joshi doesn't let the movie apparently convey the social message behind the movie though the audience would certainly get it. In the acting department, Mithun stands on top as usual. The movie belongs to him, in fact. This is another matter that the story doesn't unfold his (beggar's) background! Gulshan Grover performs his part very well. Mahesh Manjrekar as usual makes a caricature of himself. Ashwin Chitale of the 'Shwas' fame gives an emotional performance.
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Ayesha is quite charming. Ritvik Tyagi and Hardik Thakkar look natural. Amitabh Bachchan lends support to the tree. Driven and lacks a practical outlook. Riya Sen is there but doesn't do much. She seems to be wasted. Would she look into it for future guidance. Overall, 'Zor Lagaa Ke... Haiya' is okay especially at a juncture when the audience has been starved of new releases for two long months. This is a godsend opportunity for Mithun Chakravorty to release his movie in theaters at such an opportune moment.
