Home > Magazine > Bollywood Buzz > MOVIE REVIEW: Goodbye

MOVIE REVIEW: Goodbye

By Gitanjali Chak

November 2022

Goodbye

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Neena Gupta, Rashmika Mandanna

Director: Vikas Bahl

Music Director: Amit Trivedi

It’s a poignant and familiar premise—a family coping with grief after the untimely death of a dear one—but where Goodbye fumbles is in the execution. Unlike other funeral dramas with a comic twist, like Pagglait and Ramprasad ki Tehrvi, the characters of Goodbye seem half-baked and superficial—with the exception of Amitabh Bachchan who proves yet again that a good actor can rise above a mediocre script.

Yes, there are some truly heartwarming moments, especially those that capture the love story of Harish (Amitabh Bachchan) and Gayatri (Neena Gupta) in the flashback scenes, but mostly the movie feels like it has been designed with the avowed intention to make the audience shed copious tears, which it does succeed in doing. But does that mean that this film is close to perfect? Well, no. The director tries to pack in too much, which results in Goodbye feeling episodic and rushed.

The South sensation Rashmika Mandanna, playing Amitabh’s non-conformist daughter, Tara in her debut Hindi film, holds her own but she needs to work on her accent. Sunil Grover, as the laptop-wielding pandit giving an insight into the deeper meaning of life and death, is in great form. Even though Neena Gupta has a cameo, she fills the screen with her presence and you wish there was more of her.

Watch Goodbye for Amitabh. His portrayal of grief and loneliness is heartbreaking. The highlight: his monologue with Gayatri’s ashes.

TOP 10 SONGS