Recently came across this movie and seeing Naseeruddin Shah in the starring role, had to give this one a try. The plot promised a light and fun film...and it delivered. Sweet and warm, 'Hope aur hum' has some pretty good moments throughout.
The movie tells a tale of one family...actually encompasses three generations of it. Naseeruddin Shah plays the 'Dadu' who is extremely attached to his (very old) photocopy machine. He calls the machine Mr. Soennecken endearingly. And even though the machine is no longer working well, he doesn't want to let go as it connects him to his past. That much is revealed as he fondly recalls how the whole neighborhood had lined up to see when he had first brought 'Mr. Soennecken' home. He thinks Mr. Soennecken is an artist and the photocopies a work of art.
As the old photocopy machine takes up a whole room and doesn't even work anymore, Dadu is under pressure to let it go so that his grand child, Tanu, can have a study room. Tanu and Anu are the two grandchildren and completely understand the feelings of Dadu for Mr. Soennecken. Tanu helps out by looking for the lens' replacement online so the old machine might start working again. She helps out Dadu by sending emails to the concerned companies. And Anu is quite the star of the movie. Always ready for the next mischief and crazy about cricket, his antics are adorable throughout. Quite close to Dadu, the two have some very meaningful exchanges.
The movie is about how hard it is to let go of things, especially when they connect you to the brighter past. But as Dadu remembers an advice towards the end, one should become attached to people and not things. The movie is also about destiny and how you can't really control it. Also, it's about facing off one's fears and overcoming them rather than avoiding.
I quite enjoyed it. There were some pretty nice moments and some dialogues quite deep and meaningful. Do give it a watch.
