OutHouse Movie Cast/ Actors: Sharmila Tagore as Aadima, Neeraj Kabi as Neel’s Father, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Sonali Kulkarni as Neel’s Mother, Mohan Agashe As Nana, Jihan Jeetendra Hodar as Neel, Sunil Abhyankar as Nana’s Son, Pradeep Jeshim as neighbour Londhe.
OutHouse Movie Director: Sunil Sukthankar
OutHouse Movie Release Date: December 20, 2024
OutHouse Movie Available On: Theatrical Release and (the OTT release has not been announced yet)
OutHouse Movie Released/ Available In Languages: Hindi
OutHouse Movie Runtime: 97 Minutes
OutHouse Movie Critic Review:
We’re in leafy Pune, the idyllic city of the retired.
Aadima (Sharmila Tagore), graphics novel illustrator, has her grandson Neel (Jihan Jeetendra Hodar) visiting her while his parents (Sonali Kulkarni,Neeraj Kabi) grapple with their work schedules, their roles as mom and dad and with their marriage.
Nana (Mohan Agashe) lives on his own, has his own routine and brushes off his son (Sunil Abhyankar) who wants dad to transfer his flat to his name to facilitate a loan, and move to Mumbai. Not quite lonely, companions like a cat who steals his milk and friendly banter with neighbour Londhe (Pradeep Jeshim) keep life moving for Nana.
For years, the award-winning team of writer Sumitra Bhave (who passed away in 2021 after a creatively fruitful life) and director Sunil Sukthankar had collaborated on several movies predominantly in Marathi.
Going solo, Sukthankar directs a Sumitra-written Outhouse with straightforward simplicity that also deftly and firmly spotlights Aadima and Nana as parents and grandparents who are there for their families but are individuals too.
When Neel’s puppy Pablo (he’s not a dog, he’s Pablo), initially banished by Aadima as an unwelcome house guest, scampers off and finds himself a home with Nana, the pet becomes the link between the two senior citizens.
An outhouse in the compound of Aadima’s large bungalow that’s used for storage gradually gets a life of its own as it turns into a shelter.
On the face of it, it’s the pleasant story of a grandmother who humours her grandson by becoming his spy-partner to find Pablo with her daughter’s work-life balance playing out in the background. Parallelly, Nana balances his equations with his son and humours his pets.
The good part is that much happens in all their lives without loud, dramatic confrontations. The good are also Sharmila Tagore, elegant as ever, and Mohan Agashe, impressive as always. Sonali Kulkarni, Neeraj Kabi, Sunil Abhyankar and Pradeep Jeshim keep the background interesting. Pablo (renamed Sugar by Nana) plays his part in keeping it endearing.
The not-so-good is that it drags (although it is only 90+ minutes) with predictability all over. From Aadima finding her story for an eager publisher to Nana’s cat conveniently disappearing once Pablo walks in, it resembles a home movie.
OutHouse Movie – Watch Or Not?: Outhouse is more appropriate for an OTT viewing than as a movie to watch in a cinema hall.
OutHouse Movie Review Score Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (i.e. 2.5/5)
OutHouse Movie Official Trailer:
OutHouse Official Trailer (Credits: OutHouse)
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