Writing objectively about a posthumous movie release is always difficult. The art becomes a mere footnote and the artist becomes the enduring story. 

After a week of hard work, Sharmaji Namkeen is the perfect breeze of fresh air that we need. Sharmaji played by the Late Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal is the uncle we see everyday who passes by us nodding their head. When it was first announced that Paren Rawal would finish the rest of the film. I have been skeptical about how it will pan out. But Sharmaji Namkeen hits differently. It’s sweet, funny, soulful and understated.

Brij Gopal Sharma is a widowed and retired person struggling to cope with his restlessness and emptiness of growing old. His hobby is cooking food and he is pretty damn good at it. He gets a side gig to cook for a kitty party gang as a ‘specialist chef’. What started as a one time device to stay sane  became a full blown machine of staying relevant and self respect in the face of societal stigma. 

Director Hitesh Bhatia makes this film with his utmost honesty towards the craft. His whole cast and crew worked wonders to make this film a reality. The cuts in the edit are flawless. Change of the actors from scene to scene doesn’t come like sore thumb at all. 

The whole supporting cast including veterans like Satish Kaushik, Juhi Chawla, Sheeba Chadda puts forth earnest performances. Newcomers Taaruk Raina, Suhail Nayaar also did their best to keep up with the veterans. 

It’s ultimately Rishi Kapoor’s film. He is sweet and spicy like his food. The film is an ode to the legends work. In a dialogue he says, “I am, what I am”. And that sums up everything.