Tarla, directed by Piyush Gupta, is a biopic that pays tribute to the late chef-cookbook author Tarla Dalal and her remarkable contributions to the world of food. This film presents a heartwarming story filled with dreams, desires, family, and the universal love for food. While Tarla succeeds in its execution, some performances, particularly Huma Qureshi as the titular character, fall short of being convincing. Nonetheless, with its simple and straightforward screenplay, the movie offers an easily digestible experience.
The narrative follows the journey of a young Tarla (Huma Qureshi), who dreams big but lacks direction in life. Married to Nalin Dalal (Sharib Hashmi) for 12 years and raising three children, she feels a deep-seated discontent and a yearning to do something meaningful. Tarla, an accomplished homemaker, faces various opportunities that come her way, forcing her to make difficult choices. The film delves into her dilemma and showcases her struggle, from starting home-cooking tuitions to publishing her first cookbook, eventually leading to her own successful cookery show on TV.
With a runtime of nearly two hours, Tarla manages to maintain a steady pace without dragging or becoming dull. Gupta, who co-wrote the story with Gautam Ved, fearlessly portrays the internal conflicts experienced by housewives (or homemakers) who grapple with balancing their careers and family responsibilities. The moments where Huma celebrates her small victories and finds joy in her pursuits are quite engaging.
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However, the film leaves one crucial question unanswered: Did Tarla have an inherent passion for cooking, or did she discover it while attempting to create delicious vegetarian dishes to win over her non-vegetarian husband? Exploring this aspect more deeply would have provided greater insight into her life choices. Additionally, the movie fails to shed light on Tarla’s upbringing and early years. Why did she not mind spending time in the kitchen, unlike girls her age? Why did she agree to give up her studies and pursue marriage without a career, as her parents suggested?
Huma Qureshi puts in tremendous effort to embody the titular character, but she struggles to truly capture the essence of Tarla. Many of us remember the late chef for her infectious smile and serene demeanor, making it difficult to envision Huma as Tarla. This disconnect is not limited to physical appearance alone; Huma’s on-screen portrayal, while effectively delivering the message, lacks the necessary conviction to transport us back to Tarla Dalal’s era. Perhaps a different casting choice would have resulted in a more impactful performance. On the other hand, Sharib Hashmi shines as Nalin, consistently delivering a flawless performance. His unwavering support for his wife, taking on the role of a publisher despite losing his job at a textile factory, is portrayed effortlessly by Hashmi. The emotionally charged scenes between Huma and Sharib are a highlight and beautifully executed. Bharati Achrekar, portraying Tarla’s supportive neighborhood aunty, offers strong support to the story and acts as a constant driving force.
Tarla offers a delightful and satisfying cinematic experience for food enthusiasts and admirers of Tarla Dalal. Despite Huma Qureshi’s less convincing portrayal of Tarla, there is little to complain about in this feel-good film. It is now available for streaming on Zee5.