How Old Are You

How Old Are You is a spirited and uplifting Indian Malayalam language drama film released in 2014. The movie is a potent mix of personal, social, and professional elements of an ordinary woman's life, and brings these elements to life on the silver screen in a way that is both stirring and impressive. Renowned actors Manju Warrier, Kunchacko Boban, and talented young artist Amritha Anil deliver superb performances, ensuring the movie's success and popularity among audiences and critics alike.

Directed by accomplished filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews, the movie marked the fabulous comeback of Manju Warrier who plays the protagonist, Nirupama Rajeev, after a hiatus of around fourteen years. The plot revolves around the life of this 36-year-old middle-class woman who is grappling with the routineness and monotony of her life. She's a clerk in the revenue department and has a regular, uneventful existence that's devoid of any thrill or excitement.

Beside her professional life, she is also devoted to her family. Nirupama lives with her husband Rajeev, played by Kunchacko Boban, who is a news broadcaster and their 13-year-old daughter Lakshmi, portrayed by Amritha Anil. However, Nirupama's family, especially her husband, is not as supportive as she would like them to be.

Nirupama's life takes a turn when she is handpicked to create a vegetable garden at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, owing to her expertise in organic farming. Her victory in this mission gives a new and unexpected direction to her otherwise humdrum life. The movie beautifully illustrates Nirupama's journey as she navigates her way through personal and professional obstacles.

A major part of the screenplay revolves around Nirupama's life in the throes of mediocrity where every day is like any other. Her dreams, aspirations, talents, and desires have taken a backseat due to her responsibilities towards her family, job, and societal expectations. Yet, amid these dreary circumstances, Nirupama’s true spirit and determination are not quelled.

Kunchacko Boban delivers an earnest performance as the unsupportive and somewhat selfish husband, Rajeev. His character seeks excitement and thrill out of life, invariably pressuring Nirupama to relocate abroad for a better life. Amritha Anil as Lakshmi, the daughter of Nirupama and Rajeev, showcases her acting prowess admirably for her age as she balances the innocence of a child with glimpses of adolescent rebellion and wisdom.

How Old Are You is not just a story about an ordinary woman; it is effectively symbolic of the struggles of many Indian women who have been relegated to the backdrop in the ongoing narrative of gender parity and societal norms. It harbors the underpinned message that age, societal pressure, or conventional norms shouldn't impede anyone, let alone a woman, to realize her dreams.

Manju Warrier's effortless portrayal of Nirupama is a testament to her versatility in portraying complex characters. Throughout her journey, Nirupama persistently battles societal norms and expectations, and strikes a fine balance between her familial responsibilities and her individual dreams which rekindles and eventually sets aflame her subdued ambitions.

Gireesh Gangadharan's cinematography and Gopi Sunder’s music add more layers to this beautifully crafted narrative, underscoring the shifts in the mood of the film. The well-crafted dialogues penned by Bobby-Sanjay sharply highlight the societal constructs and flaws that are widespread, especially in relation to women's roles in society.

This film serves as an inspirational story for all those who are trapped in the ordinary life and are striving to shine through their ambitions. It compels the audience to rethink the societal norms, to introspect, and to consider that it’s never too late to dream, to aspire, and to achieve.

Filled with intrigue, humor, and emotive moments, How Old Are You is a compelling film with a profound message: age is just a number, and it should not define or limit one's ambitions and dreams. It reminds us all that no matter the obstacles and challenges that life throws at us, it's always within us to overcome them and let our true potential shine.