J. BABY – REVIEW
Cast: Urvashi, Dinesh, Lollu Sabba Maaran, Sekhar Narayanan
Director: Suresh Mari
J. Baby, directed by Suresh Mari and produced by Pa Ranjith’s Neelam Productions, is a sentimental family drama that aims straight for the heartstrings. Set against the backdrop of a lower-middle-class Chennai family grappling with interpersonal strife, the film relates the impact of the family matriarch’s mental illness with comedy and flair.
The title character, J. Baby (a powerful Urvashi), is a mother struggling with bipolar disorder and dementia. When she impulsively vanishes to Kolkata, it falls on her two feuding sons, Shankar (Dinesh) and Senthil (Lollu Sabba Maaran), to set aside long-held resentments and bring her home. Their journey forces them to confront painful family history, their mother’s broken psyche, and their own failings.
J. Baby examines how mental illness ripples across a family already buckling under the weight of poverty and regrets. While the realism is admirable, the unrelenting hardship may be too harsh for some viewers seeking escapism. It’s a story brought to life from Mari’s own personal experience.
Where the film shines is in its performances, particularly Urvashi’s tour-de-force turn. She imbues J. Baby with a manic energy, sadness, and an almost childlike spontaneity that is captivating to watch, even if the character’s actions are often difficult to witness. The two sons played by Dinesh and Lollu Sabba Maaran also share a chemistry in their portrayals of a strained fraternal bond. Lollu Sabba is the instigator of most of the funny moments due to his alcoholism. Sekhar Narayanan as the defense guy Sakthi who helps the bros in navigating Kolkata is good and effective.
Visually, the film is rough-hewn, opting for a gritty, unvarnished realism that suits the milieu. At nearly 2 hours 30 mins, the runtime can feel indulgent, with the pacing dragging in spots. And while the focus on authenticity is appreciated, the set and setting undercuts the narrative.
Overall, J. Baby is a sincere, well-acted drama comedy that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. It’s a film with a lot of heart, even if it occasionally misses the mark. For those willing to embrace the sentimentality and revel in the central performance, it offers a moving, if uneven, experience.