Latest news with #Don'tGiveUp
Scroll.in
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Ata Thambaycha Naay!' review: A Mumbai miracle grounded in reality
If we hadn't been told that Ata Thambaycha Naay! was based on a true story that took place in Mumbai, we wouldn't have believed it. A conscientious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officer? Who is concerned about the workers sweeping Mumbai's roads, mending leaking pipes and cleaning drains? Who not only encourages his barely educated employees to enrol in a night school but also provides financial and moral support? But it did happen. In 2017, Assistant Municipal Commissioner Udaykumar Shirurkar spurred on 23 workers to complete their basic school education. The Marathi movie inspired by this miracle is hugely uplifting but sensibly grounded too. Shivraj Waichal's Ata Thambaycha Naay! (Don't Give Up) follows working-class members of a vital and yet invisible social category. The screenplay by Waichal, Omkar Gokhale and Arvind Jagtap bristles with controlled anger at the treatment of conservancy workers, their living conditions and their daily humiliations. The plot is bookended by scenes of Maruti (Siddharth Jadhav) attending a function at his daughter Sweety's school. Sweety is a topper but Maruti is an eight-standard failure. When he isn't fixing water pipes, he's moonlighting as a taxi driver. Maruti's colleagues perform the jobs everybody wants done but won't do themselves. Apsara (Kiran Khoje) and Jayshree (Prajakta Hanamghar) sweep the streets and empty out garbage bins. Sakharam (Bharat Jadhav) lowers himself into fetid drains at considerable risk to his health and life. Shirurkar (Ashutosh Gowariker) wants these underpaid dropouts to go back to school. They are tempted by a monthly honorarium, and are initially enthused by the dedicated teacher Nilesh (Om Bhutkar). But the curriculum is difficult, especially after a hard day's work. Besides, what use is a pass certificate today if a clogged drain awaits tomorrow? The movie has been shot in actual chawls and slums in Mumbai, with no attempt made to dress up the locations or hide the city's garbage problem. Mumbai, through whose veins cement and trash flow as surely as a can-do spirit, has rarely looked sadder or uglier. Yet, hope stubbornly finds toeholds in this concrete sprawl, the movie reveals. With pep talks from Shirurkar, Nilesh encourages his grown-up pupils to strive for a future that, if not materially richer, is at least intellectually better. Ata Thambaycha Naay! elides the caste system that governs the employment of municipal workers. First-time director Waichal finds other ways to emphasise the importance for education and dignity of labour. While Shirurkar kicks off the project, the film identifies Nilesh as the architect of the miracle. The students are properly fleshed out, rather than being archetypes, and approach their problems with clarity and humour. Waichal directs his actors beautifully, casting comic talents Bharat Jadhav and Siddharth Jadhav against type and paying attention to even minor characters. Both Jadhavs are wonderful, with Bharat Jadhav especially nailing Sakharam's health problems and bouts of despair. As the feisty Apsara, Kiran Khoje is a delight. Gowariker is precise and efficient as the rare government official who uses his power for the greater common good. The 144-minute film isn't preachy, but it does get a little carried away with its progressive messaging. Some judicious snipping could have created a punchier, more effective result. Nilesh's romantic sub-plot bloats the runtime, but it does include a lovely cameo by Rohini Hattangadi. Play
Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Radio 2's Jo Whiley shares new health update on sister after move to care home
BBC Radio 2 star Jo Whiley discussed the family's tough decision to place her sister Frances into a Mencap-run home, as well as her worries about Frances' wellbeing BBC Radio 2 star Jo Whiley shared a positive update with fans after her sister was moved into a residential care home. She said her sister, Frances, who has a rare genetic disorder called cri du chat syndrome, is in the best place of her life after moving into the home. Jo discussed the family's tough decision to place Frances into a Mencap-run home as well as her worries about Frances' wellbeing. She revealed: "So many people who were carers or had children or siblings in care said it was such a relief to see that, because it is so hard relinquishing someone you love to somebody else's care. Speaking to Saga Magazine, the radio star continued: "You worry so much. The one constant throughout my life is whether Frances is happy, and that awful feeling of, 'Oh God, is she being looked after?'" "We've tried many different homes. Frances doesn't sleep easily – she won't sleep in her bedroom, she has tantrums, so you need a place that's very tolerant of challenging behaviour and knows how to manage things like her running away. "But right now she's probably the best she's ever been." Earlier this year, Jo took to her Instagram page to share a video one of the care staff took of Frances listening to Jo's BBC show while sitting at the dinner table with a couple of Furby toys on the table. Jo captioned the post: "I just wanted to share this because it's so lovely and brilliant on many levels. My sister Frances lives in a residential care home. One of her brilliant support workers, Sarah sent me this film of Frances listening to my radio show last week. "She heard me say it was Peter Gabriel's 75th Birthday and then play 'Don't Give Up' so you can hear her say 'Happy Birthday Gabriel!!' and then she sings along to the song accompanied by her beloved day-glo Furbies who look like they're really going for it! "Fantastic heart-melting stuff that I just wanted to share. Glimpses of life like this is invaluable to anyone who has a family member living in the care of others." The star continued: "If you do work in the care system - please know you are massively appreciated and the role you play in the lives of families is huge."Also the power of music and radio to bring joy and connectivity - never to be underestimated." Fearne Cotton, Davina McCall, Rachel Pridmore, Gaby Roslin and more took to the comment section to share their support for Jo, with Gaby writing: "This is beautiful." "I work in the care industry, and feel it's a pleasure and honour to work with the people I do!! I love the feeling, some days, of going home and feeling I've made a difference to someone's life," one person commented.
