Bigger Than Gladiator II: 'Mr & Mrs Mahi' Steals The Show As November's Biggest Surprise Hit

On the middle weekend of this November, the cinematic spotlight was on Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to one of Ridley Scott’s best-known and best-loved films. About less likely to generate Oscar buzz, however, was a small, quirky film released around the same time – 'Mr & Mrs Mahi'. Tucked away in the cinematic calendar, this film was always going to have its work cut out in getting noticed. In the world of big Hollywood franchises, small independent films like this are often drowned out of the conversation. But it seems that even with the might of Gladiator II dominating the headlines, there might be bigger things at play – and it starts with a little movie that goes by the name of 'Mr & Mrs Mahi'.

This offbeat film about a sports-obsessed couple might have begun quietly, but the noise surrounding 'Mr & Mrs Mahi' has started to build up. At first glance, 'Mr & Mrs Mahi' may seem like the run-of-the-mill romantic drama, complete with cheesy one-liners and seemingly predictable plot twists. But those who have actually sat down to watch this beautiful film have experienced something truly unique. Delicately exploring deeper, profound questions such as family pressures and sacrifices made for success, Director Karan V Grover’s labor of love delves into an unconventional portrayal of the Indian family dynamic.

'Mr & Mrs Mahi' has developed a distinctive word-of-mouth fan base in recent weeks. A small, local film made by an up-and-coming filmmaker with a crew of passionate actors truly holds up against the typical Hollywood fare. Those searching for deep movie-going experiences – ones that transcend your typical clichés of cheap blockbusters for the price of an immense budget – could do worse than immerse themselves in a genuine epic that leaves the massive explosions elsewhere in favor of subtlety and clever dramatic shifts.

Deep inside the film’s very core are crucial scenes that require so much incredible acting prowess that it would force many of the world’s most talented stars to break a sweat. And still, it feels perfect. Bringing them into the limelight and winning hearts – just as film protagonist Mahi perfectly lands those arduous and impossible pitches – cannot be a bad thing. The chemistry on screen for each scene shot between the individual leads feels deeply passionate – truly making each one, an all-time classic in a drama-filled emotional rollercoaster.

With the release of Gladiator II being met with far warmer responses by American and global viewers compared to Britain, could it be because our overseas viewers are simply a far tougher bunch to win over compared to their more positive overseas counterparts? With the critical reviews for Gladiator II being truly mixed as it stands, we now see the true value and the true price of all Oscar-buzz hopefuls – $30 million in the case of Mr & Mrs Mahi – being better spent in a better manner, than this monstrosity at the helm.

At its core, this Indian romance has truly stolen some of the limelight that’s been attributed to its Hollywood counterpart -and is sure to be the feel-good film of the year. 'Mr & Mrs Mahi' is a game-changer - its heartening love stories being matched and ultimately exceeded by a very unique cinematic score. A look into one of those countless stories that must be discovered and also cherished, in the age of streaming we could use a lot more diamonds like 'Mr and Mrs Mahi' every once in a while – it must truly be a must-see film that must take its rightful crown in the film schedule in the near future.