The women in Ambawadi (where she lives) adore her. She inspires them with her smiling attitude yet her heart has its own sad secrets, one being the sudden death of her husband and a landlord waiting to snatch away the piece of land, Ambawadi is standing on. There are a couple of people including a vicious neighbour who can’t stand her happy-go-lucky attitude and like to poke her bubble once in a while, passing nasty comments etc. She often puts him in his place but in the quiet of the night wallows in self pity. She extols pearls of wisdom, Krishnagiri as they call it (something like Munnabhai’s Gandhigiri)…in short, Krishnaben is Mother-Teresa-Jhansi-Ki-Rani-and-Munnibhai all rolled into one.
It’s supposed to be an inspiring tale especially for those who struggle in their middle-class existence, trying to rise above odds, but barring a couple of scenes, most of the times, Krishnaben’s efforts to be this super-homemaker-cum-enterprising-woman look forced and manipulated. A dead husband’s portrait and a wily neighbour making things difficult for her are too clichéd…Why can’t we have a woman who doesn’t have to smile to hide her tears? Why can’t she just smile?
Indira Krishnan as the feisty Khakhrawali is apt for the role and manages to carry the show on her broad shoulders (though to see her as a mother of four is a bit much).
Also we wonder why her eldest born can’t share his mother’s financial troubles…We are sure, there are many more dukhbhare secrets waiting to tumble out from this khakhrawali’s kitchen.
It comes from the makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma and considering its success, we are sure it won’t be long before Krishnaben works her magic.
