Movie Review: Little Zizou - Humorous Surprise Comes in Little Package

Scriptwriter and photographer Sooni Taraporevala debuts as a director with this delightful Parsi tale Little Zizou made in Hindi, Gujarati and English.

It is a moving comment on the present day Parsi community living in Mumbai.

This is the story of two Parsi families - Cyrus II Khodaiji (Sohrab Ardeshir), a self proclaimed religious leader and Boman Presswala (Boman Irani), a newspaper publisher.

The story is told from the view point of an 11-year-old 'Little Zizou' Xerxes (Jahan Battiwala), Khodaiji's younger son, who is a die-hard fan of soccer player Zinedine Zidane. It takes us on a roller coaster ride to the unfolding of hostilities between the two families.

Xerxes is motherless and hates his dad Khodaiji intensely. He finds a mother in Pressvala's wife Roxanne. His ardent desire is that one day Zidane will come to meet him in Mumbai.

Xerxes's elder brother Artaxerxes, a talented artist, loves Pressvala's daughter. Xerxes himself admires Pressvala's wife. To make matters worse, Pressvala writes a critique of Khodaiji. Intense public reaction makes them arch rivals. The situation worsens even more with passage of time.

What will happen to the love story and the relations between the two families forms part of the rest of the movie. The viewer is so involved with this humorous story that resolving the conflict is not on their mind.

Watching the movie is like taking a walk in the Parsi neighbourhood in Mumbai. The world of Bawas and Bawis, their constant banter and developing eccentricities is what makes life worth watching.

Sooni has presented Parsis unplugged. With an all-Parsi cast barring Imaad, it is a wholesome and humorous view of Parsis living in Mumbai. Reminds you of Khatta Meetha (1978).

The children are a delight to watch especially Sooni's, Jahan and Iyanah. Their natural performance lends credence to the happenings.

Mira Nair has always presented thoughtful crossover movies. This one has an added dimension of entertainment. Watch out for John Abraham in a blink-and-miss role (muscular special appearance).

Imaad Shah (Naseeruddin Shah's son) is effective as eldest son Art. He was earlier seen in The Little Godfather, Yun Hota To Kya Hota and Dil Dosti Etc.

Enjoy the movie for its light hearted treatment and a peek in the Parsi world. After Khattan Meetha (1978), and Welcome To Sajjanpur, Little Zizou is a humorous and heart-warming story that comes in little package. Little (Jahan Bativala) will win your heart in a big way.