As a foodie, I was genuinely curious about Tarla Dalal… the woman who introduced generations of Indians to the joys of home cooking. The film is an easy, pleasant watch, with a few heartfelt moments and a nice message about finding purpose beyond the kitchen.
Huma Qureshi is engaging and earnest, but she never quite disappears into Tarla Dalal. Her tone and energy still carry traces of her other roles – especially her recent “Maharani” flair – and that takes away some of the authenticity. Sharib Hashmi, however, is a delight, bringing quiet humour and warmth as the supportive husband.
The story itself has its charm, especially in the scenes showing Tarla’s spark as she experiments and teaches others. But the biopic feels too neat – some facts are clearly reworked, and the retro design of 70s-80s Mumbai never feels truly lived-in. I wanted more flavour, more realism, more of her.
Still, for those who love cooking, or simply admire people who chase their passion against odds, Tarla makes for a gentle one-time watch… sincere, light, and comforting, even if it leaves you a bit hungry for more. 6.5/10.
