There were times Bollywood used to make simple and warm stories on lives of middle class family in Mumbai. Films like Baaton Baaton Mein, Chhoti Si Baat or Sansar touched the audience hearts as you could connect with real-life characters. Tumhari Sulu is like a breath of fresh air with superb performance by Vidya Balan.

Tumhari Sulu tells the story of Sulochna who loves to try out new things in life. However, her life changes when she gets the opportunity to become a Radio Jockey for a late-night call show.

First time director, Suresh Triveni, chooses a niche subject to make his Bollywood debut and comes out with a fruitful result. Right from the opening scene, the film will instantly connect you with the real-life characters. The story of a middle class family depicted in Mumbai along with their daily life struggle and happiness is heart-warming and yet convincing. Few scenes will grab your eyeballs- the audition of Vidya Balan at the Radio station, the confrontation between Manav Kaul and Vidya Balan when she gets her first salary and Vidya Balan making her first call as Radio Jockey is spellbinding and memorable. Unfortunately, the script loses the steam in the second half and weak climax plays the spoilsports. Few scenes looks forced which slows down the momentum it built in the first half.

Editing could have been better. Art direction and Cinematography is decent while the music is a plain average. Dialogues are powerful while background is just about okay. The captain of the ship is none other than Vidya Balan. The supremely talented just brings life into the film with electrifying performance. She is equally supported by Manav Kaul who throws in a good surprise. Neha Dhupia and Vijay Maurya provides in adequate support.

Overall, a well-made film with a weak second half. Thank god, Vidya Balan was there to save my day. Good 3/5

Vidya Balan returns to tremendous form in 'Tumhari Sulu'. This box-office hit, that rightly earned Balan many accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, rides on the actress's firm shoulders to camouflage its thin story. While Balan shines as Sulu, the film never reaches beyond the ordinary.

'Tumhari Sulu' Synopsis: Sulu is an ambitious housewife with a loving husband and a happy family. Things start changing for her when she accidentally lands a job as a radio jockey and her show becomes an instant hit.

'Tumhari Sulu' is about a common women's triumph, told with honesty. I do applaud the makers to make a film about a women, who doesn't have a size-zero figure or is even remotely shown as an activist fighting for women's rights, but of a women, who leads a simple life & how she triumphs on the merit of her talent.

BUT, 'Tumhari Sulu' settles for mediocrity. Sulu's tale has honesty, but overall, the story lacks meat. The sub-plot involving her husband (The Wonderful Manav Kaul) isn't very engaging & even Sulu's life post her success as a radio jockey, isn't high on energy. Sure, some moments here are all heart & soul, but as a whole, 'Tumhari Sulu' is an ordinary story.

Suresh Triveni's Screenplay is half-baked. His Direction, on the other-hand, is simplistic, yet effective. Cinematography & Editing are fair. The Soundtrack is excellent.

And now of course, to Sulu herself. Balan gets into the skin of the character & delivers a rock-solid performance. Balan is the beating heart of this so-so film. Its no surprise that Balan is considered as one of the best of our times.

On the whole, 'Tumhari Sulu' is a Vidya Balan show all the way. For her alone, watch it.

There comes a time in an actor's career when they reinvigorate their image by giving the best performance of their life. Vidya Balan is that actor in Tumhari Sulu, director Suresh Triveni's debut full-length feature film. She plays a 30-something homemaker whose life revolves around the chores of her house and taking care of her two pillars - a young son and a timorous husband played by the talented Manav Kaul. She dreams of making it big in life by doing whatever she can get her hands onto as she finds joy in everything. Despite a series of bickering (that may have started since her childhood) by her family members, she finally takes the plunge and decides to work as a radio jockey for a late-night somewhat adult show. How that affects her life and the lives of her two pillars is what Tumhari Sulu is all about - giving the average audience insufficient fodder for thought. It is a highly predictable, and somewhat contrived story of a homemaker who takes up a job, but the beauty of the film is in its making. Director and writer Triveni has crafted a sweet story that is palpable to the core, with the right amount of ingredients for flavor. Supported by melodious music (and songs) and some of the best performances of the year by Balan, Kaul, and Neha Dhupia, Tumhari Sulu manages to bring tears in your eyes, thanks to its overtly melodramatic second half. There is enough to not like in the film, but Balan's presence on-screen makes Tumhari Sulu look like a dessert with a permanent supply of water. Indian viewers are going to find Tumhari Sulu highly relatable, which further makes it one of the better Bollywood films of 2017. Watch it with your mum. TN.