Kajol’s ‘Salaam Venkey’ movie review

• Kajol’s Salaam Venky’s last scene had a special appearance by Aamir Khan.
• Vishal Jethwa plays Kajol’s son Venky in the film.
• Only Kajol rises above the writing to show a mother’s anguish.

Kajol‘s “Salaam Venky” explains how its heroic 24-year-old protagonist has spent years fighting DMD, a degenerative disease with no treatment. And how his heroic mother (Kajol) battled beside him. Venkatesh nicknamed Venky (Vishal Jethwa) is seen resting on his bed, conversing nicely with mum, spiralling into a crisis, and being rushed to hospital, where his supportive doctor (Rajeev Khandelwal) announces he is out of danger, but he would never be able to go home again.

Nothing I’ve said is a spoiler because the film is based on a true tale of a young man by the same name whose request to terminate his life took a legal turn and how he saw euthanasia-caused death as a new beginning for a number of desperate organ recipients.

Hard to feel sorry for the young man who uses humour to escape imminent death, but the first half is a montage of useless scenes. Venky chats with his blind childhood sweetheart. Venky teaches his favourite nurse chess. Venky is happy to see his long-lost sister. Venky is his ‘amma’s heart-blood-nourished son. It’s meant to be touching, but the obviousness grates.

After intermission, a helpful lawyer (Rahul Bose), a feisty TV reporter (Ahana Kumra), a pugnacious public prosecutor (Priyamani), and a dedicated judge (Prakash Raj) join the canvas. How can you stay stoic when a young life is taken? Kamal Sadanah, who co-starred with Kajol in Bekhudi (1992), and Khandelwal reappear. Jethwa’s servants follow his rules. Only Kajol rises above the writing to show a mother’s anguish. The rest is background-music-fueled melodrama.

Kajol, Vishal Jethwa, Rahul Bose, Rajeev Khandelwal, Ahana Kumra, Prakash Raj, Kamal Sadaanah.
Revathy directed Salaam Venky.

2 stars for Salaam Venky