Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

sumanbarthakursmailbox Filmmaker Shyam Benegal's Welcome To Sajjanpur is not only one of the best films of 2008, it's among the finest films you'll see in a long time. It is on the one hand, a humorous portrait of life in a small village in northern India; and on the other an honest exploration of human personalities. It's also a remarkably progressive film that makes many important points, but does so subtly and intelligently, never beating its chest about it.With Sajjanpur, Benegal proves once again that a simple plot with interesting characters is all it takes to engage an audience. Benegal is familiar with his milieu and understands his characters and their motivations intricately. Shreyas Talpade plays Mahadev, one of the few literates in Sajjanpur, who makes a living writing letters for those who can't read and write themselves. For anything between fifty paise and two rupees, he'll dash off whatever communication the village folk urge him to. For the compounder at the local dispensary who's besotted by a young widow, Mahadev writes a rousing love-note; for an elderly woman convinced her daughter's stars aren't quite in order he writes letters to her trusted astrologer enquiring how to ward off evil spirits; for a eunuch who's preparing to contest the village elections he scribbles off an impassioned plea for protection. His knack with words and his skill at writing persuasive letters makes him particularly popular with his neighbors. When his childhood crush Kamla (played by Amrita Rao) approaches him to write to her husband in the city to communicate her frustration about being away from him so long, Mahadev lets his feelings for her get in the way. He manipulates the communication both ways in the hope of breaking up the couple and winning her heart himself. Welcome To Sajjanpur is a placid film, not plot-driven but centred on the emotional journey of its characters. And what a colorful palette of characters Benegal serves up - the hassled 'mousi ' who cries through her nose, her headstrong scooter-riding daughter, the snake-charmer who carries around a rubber cobra, even the gangster-like politicians. It's evident that the director has nothing but affection for his characters, even the darker ones get their moments to shine. At the core of the drama, of course, is Mahadev. Sometimes a character in a movie inhabits his world so freely, so easily that he creates it for us as well. Shreyas Talpade does that in Welcome To Sajjanpur, as the kind-hearted fellow who writes for free for those who can't afford to pay him, also the sly chap who plots to snatch his sweetheart from her absent husband. Benegal's protagonists are seldom black or white, and Mahadev can't be saddled with those labels either. He's a good man, but a little selfish. Not very different from any of us. Welcome To Sajjanpur is one of Benegal's most evocative films, what a fine job he does of lacing it with social consciousness. The film dwells on relevant issues like widow remarriage, caste politics and superstition, but it's weaved intrinsically into the film's plot. In this day of slapstick senseless comedy, Benegal delivers a film that's both witty and wise, and he's aided by a terrific cast that doesn't miss a beat. Divya Dutta, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Yashpal Sharma, Ravi Kissen, Ila Arun, every single one of them is in superb form. Amrita Rao is terrific as the conflicted, suffering bride, and Shreyas Talpade turns in a career-best performance as Mahadev. Watch him in that scene in which he's reading the letter Kamla's husband has sent to her in the end -- that is what you call an actor. If Sajjanpur falters, it's in the length department. The film could have easily done with fewer songs, even though Shantanu Moitra's score is refreshingly wholesome. In the end, the movie is a beautiful, complete, moving experience, and years from now will be regarded as one of Benegal's most layered films. It's a sweet, simple story of life in a village, a bittersweet tale of human frailties, a small film with a very big heart. Watch it because gems like these are hard to find.

Avinash Patalay "Welcome to Sajjanpur" is a revival of times on the lines of Malgudi Days and the flavour of of Hrishikesh Mukhejee & Basu Chatterjee. The fictitious village comprises of characters very humane, easily identifiable and oozing with simplicity (well, not quite!). The narrative is extremely smooth and carries you with the flow. Shyam Benegal attempts an unexplored territory and once again he proves what a versatile director he is. With "Welcome to Sajjanpur" Shyam Benegal to a certain degree incorporates commercial elements into his style yet retaining the flavour of parallel cinema. All the characters seem hand-picked as they are perfectly suited to the "T". Every actor gets adequate space as per the demands necessitated by the character. It seemed only Divya Dutta's character/ role was not fleshed out / elaborated (and her participation in the end was kind of coming). In the times of heavy-weights & escapism cinema, "Welcome to Sajjanpur" manages to command a foothold in its own rights. Don't miss this movie at any costs.

Upal Chatterji This film is a treat to watch and in recent times one of the very few films which leave a beautiful after taste in the mouth long after the titles have been displayed. This film is a creation so rare, displaying a fine balance between satire, ridicule, humour and all the while making the viewer aware of the dark side of life. Many aspects of the film bear the stamp of the Master that Mr Benegal is, and like a rare wine , he has only kept improving with the passage of years. The acting is first rate, with Shreyas Talpade carrying the film through on his capable shoulders, ably supported by most of the other cast. The editing is crisp and never does any sequence appear in any way out of the cohesive well knit fabric of human lives which make up Sajjanpur. Its an amazing film and should deserve many more accolades and International recognition than what has been received by it.It is a shame that it has not been nominated for the Oscars or the Golden Globe.

sagar79 As an actor, Shreyas Talpade, has exceeded my expectations every time I have seen him perform on the screen. "Welcome to Sajjanpur" in true sense is a welcome break for Bollywood, which now a days is churning out comedies which are more non-sense than light-hearted. Of course Mr.Benegal's class is very evident from each and everyone of the characters he as presented in this story.WTS is a simple story of an arts graduate, Mahadev (Shreyas) who's new found talent of writing letters is an instant hit with the villagers. Parallely, he evolves into a writing consultant with such an élan that even a guy in love gets his love-letter written from Mahadev. There are a number of very funny people, with a variety of problems coming to him for having their letters written and the way events turn due to his thoughtful letters are truly engrossing. Ila Arun's character was the best among the supporting roles and I couldn't help laughing out mad at the climax of the movie.Phew! very few movies like this stand up to the class of yesteryear comedies (Read Hrishikesh classics). 07/10 Don't miss this movie.