Patiala House
2011 · Directed by Nikkhil Advani
Original language: Hindi
- drama
The story
Parghat Singh 'Gattu' Kahlon is a middle aged shopkeeper who secretly practices bowling at night in order to keep his dream of playing for England alive. Even though his family members despise him for giving up his dreams only due to his father's wish, they find a ray of hope and convince him to play for England while they plan to hide the truth from his father.
What it’s like
Bright, warm daylight spills across crowded Southall-style family rooms and a sunlit London street, with the camera staying close and conversational in busy domestic scenes and opening out to wide, green cricket grounds where the sky turns cool and flat. Colours run saturated and cheerful: marigold, turquoise, cream and the sharp whites of cricket kit. The score is bouncy and percussive, with Punjabi folk rhythms and upbeat pop cues that lift the mood, and the cricket sequences carry a crisp, satisfying thwack of bat and ball. The vibe is warm, comic and sentimental, a feel-good family comedy with a sports-drama spine, suited to a lazy weekend afternoon, a cheerful comfort watch, or a night in with relatives. Pacing is brisk and musical, with frequent song breaks and easy banter, and the emotional arc follows a stubborn, proud father slowly softening toward his grown children while a quietly hopeful man is given a second chance. Violence is absent and the content is gentle, with only mild family tension and a few shouted arguments. It suits viewers who want warmth, humour and a hopeful underdog story, especially fans of South Asian family cinema.
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