Chintan Parikh is a middle-class Ahmedabad man forever outnumbered and out-argued by the women in his life. After praying at a temple, he suddenly gains the power to hear the private thoughts of every woman around him. Panicked at first, he learns to use the gift to untangle the relationship troubles of the people he loves.
Fakt Mahilao Maate takes a simple wish-fulfilment premise and turns it into a warm family comedy. Chintan Parikh, played by Yash Soni, is a young man cornered on every side by the women in his life, from his grandmother to his mother, sister and girlfriend. A prayer at the temple hands him the ability to hear what women are actually thinking, and the film mines that gimmick for both laughs and a quiet argument about the difference between hearing a woman and understanding her.
The headline draw is Amitabh Bachchan, who appears as Chintan's father Kanji and speaks Gujarati on screen for the first time. Mid-day called the film worth watching for its message, its entertainment and the privilege of seeing the megastar speak the language, while Divya Bhaskar singled out the screenplay, noting that the pace never sags and no scene overstays its welcome. Yash Soni carries the everyman role with easy charm, Deeksha Joshi is a grounded presence as Sneha, and the ensemble of household women gives the comedy its texture. Audiences agreed at the counter, where the film ran to a blockbuster verdict of roughly 16.59 crore net in India.
It is not without limits. The fantasy hook wears thin in the second half, the social message is sometimes stated more plainly than it needs to be, and the structure follows a familiar romantic-comedy arc. Even so, this is a genial, well-built crowd-pleaser that says something worth saying without lecturing. For a light Gujarati watch with a genuine heart and a once-in-a-lifetime Bachchan cameo, it earns its place.
Verdict
A warm, well-paced Gujarati family comedy that earns its blockbuster run and gives Amitabh Bachchan a charming first turn in the language.
What works
- Amitabh Bachchan's first Gujarati screen appearance
- Tight, well-paced screenplay
- Yash Soni's likeable everyman turn
- A real message wrapped inside the comedy
What holds it back
- Fantasy premise stretched thin in places
- Message spelled out too plainly at times
- Conventional romantic-comedy structure
- Second half loses some momentum
Cast & crew
Writers: Karan Bhanushali
Music: Kedar & Bhargav
Cast: Yash Soni (Chintan Parikh), Deeksha Joshi (Sneha), Amitabh Bachchan (Kanji Parikh (special appearance)), Tarjanee Bhadla (Meghna Parikh), Kalpana Gagdekar (Ketki Parikh), Bhavini Jani (Champaben Parikh)
Producers: Anand Pandit, Vaishal Shah
Watch the trailer
Play the official trailer on YouTubeMore Comedy Gujarati films
Frequently asked
Is Fakt Mahilao Maate worth watching?
A warm, well-paced Gujarati family comedy that earns its blockbuster run and gives Amitabh Bachchan a charming first turn in the language. Kevu Che rates it 3.5 out of 5.
What is Fakt Mahilao Maate about?
Chintan Parikh is a middle-class Ahmedabad man forever outnumbered and out-argued by the women in his life. After praying at a temple, he suddenly gains the power to hear the private thoughts of every woman around him. Panicked at first, he learns to use the gift to untangle the relationship troubles of the people he loves.
What is the IMDb rating of Fakt Mahilao Maate?
Fakt Mahilao Maate (2022) holds an IMDb rating of 7.6 out of 10.