In recent times, Bollywood has tried to deliver some films with good stories that are relatable to the audiences. Mili, the latest production of Boney Kapoor’s Bayview Projects, clearly falls in this category. In fact, it makes an effort to check all the appropriate boxes that will ensure box-office success — South Indian film remake, woman-driven story, thriller genre, et al. Fortunately, its strong storyline, evenly-paced narrative and sharp cinematography are also well backed up with excellent performances by the cast and what you get is a film in which viewers are provided with 130 minutes of meaningful entertainment.
Directed by Mathukutty Xavier (who also directed Helen, the original Malayalam film), it tells the tale of 24-year-old Mili, who lives with her father in Dehradun. It navigates their relationship and informs us of the many ups and downs of their life. As given away by the trailer, Mili, played by a spirited Janhvi Kapoor, is a qualified nurse, who aspires to go to Canada to earn enough money to support her father. She works at a restaurant in a mall to pay for her passage abroad. Mili also has a boyfriend, Sameer (Sunny Kaushal) whose existence is kept a secret from her dad, because Sameer is currently jobless. So far so good. But before we know it, the story plunges us into its crisis. Mili gets locked up in the walk-in freezer of the restaurant where she works, due to an unlucky combination of circumstances. Stuck in the freezer after the last shift is over and the mall where the restaurant is located shuts down for the night, it’s up to Mili to try to escape, survive on her own or be rescued before it is too late.
Billed as a ‘survival thriller’, Mili is built on a theme which is common to all films in this genre — to remain positive and never give up; to keep on trying your best no matter how heavily-stacked the odds are against you. What makes Mili stand out from the usual crop of survival thrillers is its avoidance of unnecessarily tense moments. A premonition of events to follow is built up from the outset and at suitable intervals to keep you interested. You feel as though you want to warn Mili and her loved ones of dangers ahead. So when the crisis does take place, Mili’s response to it becomes all the more distressing. Yet, after the initial moments, she surprises us with her grit, presence of mind, her physical strength and above all, her ability to remain kind and compassionate even in such circumstances.
During these moments, the film also focuses on her father (Manoj Pahwa) and his anguish when his daughter fails to return home from work at night, exploring an aspect of the story which is often neglected in thrillers, where only the victim and their experiences are given importance. Besides his character, all other characters in the film are also given adequate attention and come off as well-rounded. The nasty police-inspector with his sexist, casteist comments; Mili’s boss who is always in a grumpy mood; Mili’s co-worker Hasleen, who is supportive and always gives her sisterly advice; and Sameer, her boyfriend, whose sincerity and love for her shines through as the film progresses. Mention must also be made of Jackie Shroff, who is brilliant in a tiny cameo that has enormous impact on how the story ends.
Harna nahi hai, tujhe jeena hoga, a song that plays in the background track as Mili tries to stay conscious and keep herself from freezing until help arrives, sums up the mood of the film. Scared, weak, in pain and on the verge of hypothermia, she carries on, trying one option after the other, until she can try no more. Ultimately, it is Mili’s courage, never-say-die attitude and determination to succeed that steals your heart and makes you leave the theatre with a smile on your face.
Mili (U/A)
Director: Mathukutty Xavier
Cast: Janhvi Kapoor, Sunny Kaushal, Manoj Pahwa, Jackie Shroff
Running time: 130 minutes