The battle of the bulge

A young, unmarried woman on the heavier side is double the burden for not only herself but the family too. Especially, when she, the papa’s pet is encouraged to gorge on junk food from her childhood and whose death leaves her to fend for herself among a worried mother, devil-may-care brother and a concerned grandpa. Does she finally find her Prince Charming and well, does she turn desirable for him? This is the story which forms the basis of a very interestingly made ‘Size Zero’.

Prakash Kovelamudi helms this 131-minute venture which could have either driven down the slippery slope of slapstick comedy and sexist innuendoes or adopted a patronising attitude to treating such extra-large types as a species to be endured. Mercifully, other than a few jibes referring to the leading lady’s girth, sanity prevails.

For the better part of the film, though steeped in a traditional approach of middle-class world view in matters related to matrimony etc., the movie keeps an even approach, which looks at the heroine in a matter-of-fact manner and allows her to make her decisions. Anushka Shetty has a winner for the second time in a row (after her Rudhramadevi) with this flick, which totally revolves around her.

Interweaving the perils of sudden weight loss and the unethical, life-threatening practices of many such players in the market, the film packs in an individual background to its three main characters– the Chinese-restaurant employee Sweety (Anushka), the NRI documentary filmmaker Abhi and his svelte pal, Simran, played by Sonal Chauhan, complete with an anglicised lilt to her dialogue delivery. Both the foreign-returned have a mission to clean up India, provide toilets and ensure hygiene, a reference to the campaign in real life by the central government.

Sweety turns sweaty in her excruciating fight to secure justice from the fitness centre which puts her colleague’s life at risk with steroids and risky drugs. She is joined by the hero, who happily plays counterfoil to her, lending his expertise to take on the Size Zero Company which battles the heroine head-on led by its owner, played to perfection by Prakash Raj.

The final part of the film, where corporate support, in-film branding, social media and celebrity endorsements, with a guest appearance by Nagarjuna empower the fighters for the right cause also has a worn out twist in the form of a triangle love, whose outcome decides the climax. This is where the film turns propagandist but does not get out of hand, safely reverting to lovey-dovey interplays between the young crowds.

Kovelamudi adds up a series of little things– girly superstitions, accommodating senior citizens and conservative mindsets of a few of his characters- effortlessly into the film, building it into the flow of the film and enabling it add value. Here is where, without resorting to sloganeering, he makes the point that it is okay to be a little heavy for women, especially if it allows you to throw your weight around when it matters! A surprise package, this!

Film Name : Size Zero

Cast : Anushka, Arya and Sonal Chauhan

Direction : Prakash Kovelamudi

Genre : Drama

Likes : Anushka, Arya and the veteran star cast

Dislikes : Time-tested twists to spice up the second half

Rating : ***

By K Naresh Kumar