Tarla (2023)

Tarla Dalal is a name that probably everyone knows. Even if you might not have heard her name, or don’t remember seeing her, it is pretty difficult not to have tried any of her recipes. She had managed to leave a mark on not just every person in the nation, but also made her presence felt across the globe. What is even more remarkable is that she did something extraordinary with the ordinary.

Follows the journey of India’s iconic home chef, Tarla Dalal. It captures the integral role she played in empowering women and helping them realise their dreams through food. Hers was the time when women were ‘expected’ to cook (something that happens even today in many households), but she used this everyday skill, bettered it and carved her niche. This journey from ordinary to extraordinary is what director Piyush Gupta tries to capture in his film, ‘Tarla’. The film traces the journey of Tarla (Huma Qureshi) and her rise to fame. However, the success of one person is never his or hers alone. In this story too, the ‘supporting’ character pushes and lifts Tarla. It is none other than her husband Nallu aka Nalin Dalal (Sharib Hashmi). Their friendship and love are among the key highlights of the film. It is through Hashmi’s character that we see Tarla’s growth. Piyush Gupta chooses simplistic storytelling instead of giving it a nuanced touch. However, it is by no means that the film isn’t good enough. It is very simple, and just as heartwarming as a comfortable home-cooked meal devoid of fancy things. He keeps the narrative light and breezy. It is only at the end that things get a little melodramatic, but Gupta keeps his hold intact in the narrative. Huma Qureshi turns Tarla in the film. Yes, she might not look like Tarla, but she does get the mannerisms right. Like the narrative, there is a lot of nuance in her portrayal, but that is only because the script does not require it. She sails along effortlessly.