PINK LUDOOS (2005)

By Rick Jackson

Pink Ludoos is a smart coming of age comedy in which a contemporary young woman wants to live her life without being tied down by the traditions of her Sikh family.

Jay Kazim is simply wonderful to watch as Gugan Dhaliwal. Her performance is down-to-earth and funny as she searches within herself enough courage to cry out and be heard among her mother's platitudes and superstitions.

Early in the film, Gugan learns she is pregnant with three girls out of wedlock. Tradition says that boys are the choice gender. When a baby is born, it is celebrated by sweets called "pink ludoos."

Written by Belle Mott, the focus of the story is on this important Sikh tradition and how Gugan seeks to change it. When she meets Raymond (Chenur Hendel) she doesn't realize who he really is.

Shaheen Khan, who played the mother in Bend It Like Bendham, plays Mrs. Dhaliwal. She wants Gugan, her eldest daughter, to follow tradition and watch out for certain things such as the upcoming eclipse. Gugan also doesn't like the spices she throws around the air because she doesn't like them.

The rest of the supporting cast features Jolly Bader as Mr. Dhaliwal, who is torn by past mistakes and has become a lazy drunkard, and Agam Darshi is Pria, Gugan's younger brother.

Under Guarav Seth's capable direction, Pink Ludoos is a delightful surprise.

March 5, 2005

Copyright 2005 Rick Jackson