IT'S A WONDERFUL AFTERLIFE (2010)

Summary:

Mrs. Sethi, a traditional Indian mother living in Southall, London, is desperate to find a suitable husband for her beautiful but unconventional daughter, Roopi. Frustrated by a string of disastrous blind dates and rude suitors, Mrs. Sethi begins to accidentally, and quite unintentionally, kill off those who stand in the way of her daughter's happiness or insult her family. To her horror, the spirits of her victims return to haunt her, forming a motley crew of increasingly demanding and bewildered ghosts who can't move on until Mrs. Sethi helps them find peace, or perhaps, helps Roopi find a husband.

As the body count rises and the ghostly population in her home swells, Mrs. Sethi must navigate the complexities of traditional matchmaking, evade the suspicions of a handsome police detective, and somehow appease her spectral houseguests, all while trying to secure her daughter's future. The film is a hilarious and heartwarming cultural clash that blends supernatural comedy with a poignant story about a mother's love and the evolving dynamics of family and tradition.

Keywords: It's a Wonderful Afterlife, 2010, Shabana Azmi, Goldy Notay, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Gurinder Chadha, Comedy, Fantasy, British Indian, Ghosts, Matchmaking, Southall.

Plot:

The story opens in the vibrant, bustling streets of Southall, London, where we are introduced to Mrs. Sethi, a formidable and fiercely protective Punjabi mother. Her primary mission in life, she believes, is to find a suitable husband for her beloved daughter, Roopi. Roopi, however, is not your typical demure Indian bride-to-be; she’s a modern, independent woman with a strong personality and an aversion to the endless parade of unsuitable bachelors her mother arranges. Mrs. Sethi’s attempts at matchmaking are relentless, ranging from aggressive advertising in local newspapers to cornering eligible bachelors at community events, much to Roopi’s embarrassment.

The comedic chaos truly begins when Mrs. Sethi hosts a particularly disastrous "meet-the-parents" dinner. One suitor, a boorish and overly confident young man named Jasvinder, not only insults Roopi’s intelligence but also makes a crude remark about Mrs. Sethi’s cooking. Enraged, Mrs. Sethi, in a fit of protective fury and accidental clumsiness, shoves Jasvinder, causing him to trip over a loose rug and tumble down the stairs, breaking his neck. Panicked and horrified, Mrs. Sethi manages to cover up the incident, convincing the family that Jasvinder simply left in a huff. However, her relief is short-lived when Jasvinder's ghost appears in her living room, confused and unable to move on, demanding answers and a proper farewell.

Initially, Mrs. Sethi believes she's losing her mind, but as Jasvinder's spectral form becomes more insistent, she realizes the terrifying truth: she's being haunted by the man she accidentally killed. Jasvinder, a pompous spirit even in death, informs her that he cannot cross over until he finds peace, which he believes is tied to Mrs. Sethi finding Roopi a husband. This sets the stage for a series of increasingly bizarre and humorous events. Mrs. Sethi tries to ignore him, but Jasvinder’s ghostly antics – levitating objects, making sudden loud noises, and generally being a nuisance – make it impossible.

The situation escalates with the arrival of another potential suitor, a notoriously snobbish and critical woman named Mrs. Goldsmith, who is assessing Roopi on behalf of her son. Mrs. Goldsmith, with her condescending remarks about Roopi’s career and her family’s humble origins, pushes Mrs. Sethi to her breaking point. During a heated argument in the kitchen, Mrs. Sethi inadvertently causes a heavy spice rack to fall, striking Mrs. Goldsmith on the head, killing her instantly. Soon enough, Mrs. Goldsmith's equally snobbish ghost joins Jasvinder, adding another layer of spectral torment to Mrs. Sethi’s life. The two ghosts bicker constantly, reflecting their personalities in life, and both demand Mrs. Sethi resolve their earthly woes.

As the body count inexplicably rises – a pushy aunt who criticizes Roopi’s weight, a rude shopkeeper who overcharges Mrs. Sethi for spices, a nosy neighbour who spreads gossip – Mrs. Sethi finds herself surrounded by a growing ensemble of ghosts. Each victim, from the boisterous to the meek, adds their unique spectral personality to the mix, creating a chaotic and often hilarious dynamic in the Sethi household. They are a motley crew, unable to move on, and all convinced that their fate is inextricably linked to Mrs. Sethi’s success in marrying off Roopi. They offer conflicting advice, complain about their ghostly existence, and occasionally try to "help" Mrs. Sethi with her matchmaking efforts, often with disastrous and invisible-to-the-living results.

Meanwhile, the string of mysterious disappearances and deaths in Southall begins to attract the attention of the local police. Enter Detective Raj, a handsome, sharp, and charming officer who finds himself increasingly drawn to the peculiar case and, perhaps, to Roopi herself. Raj, initially baffled by the lack of evidence and the bizarre circumstances surrounding each "accident," starts to develop a suspicion about Mrs. Sethi’s uncanny presence at each incident. He begins to subtly investigate her, finding her eccentric behavior both endearing and deeply perplexing. Roopi, unaware of her mother's secret life as an accidental grim reaper, finds herself caught between her mother's desperate matchmaking and her own growing interest in the charismatic detective.

Mrs. Sethi, now juggling her spectral houseguests, the constant pressure to find Roopi a husband, and the watchful eye of Detective Raj, becomes increasingly frantic. She tries everything from ancient rituals to modern dating apps, all while the ghosts offer their unsolicited, often contradictory, advice. Jasvinder suggests a wealthy businessman, Mrs. Goldsmith insists on someone with impeccable breeding, and the shopkeeper ghost just wants his lost wallet back. The stress begins to manifest in Mrs. Sethi’s everyday life; she talks to herself, argues with invisible entities, and her cooking becomes even more erratic, leading her family to believe she's simply overwhelmed with wedding preparations.

The climax arrives when Mrs. Sethi believes she has found the perfect match: a seemingly charming and successful doctor named Dr. Singh, who comes from a respected family. The ghosts, surprisingly, are also quite impressed, believing this could finally be their ticket to the afterlife. A grand engagement party is planned, and Mrs. Sethi meticulously prepares everything, hoping this will be the end of her ghostly torment. However, during the party, one of the more observant ghosts, perhaps the nosy neighbour, notices Dr. Singh making inappropriate advances towards another young woman, revealing his true philandering nature. The ghosts, now united in their desire for Roopi's happiness, try desperately to warn Mrs. Sethi, causing a flurry of poltergeist activity that only Mrs. Sethi can truly perceive.

Mrs. Sethi, initially confused by the spectral warnings, eventually pieces together the truth through the ghosts' frantic gestures and whispered revelations. Enraged once more, but this time with a clearer sense of purpose, she confronts Dr. Singh. A chaotic scene ensues, involving spilled food, broken decorations, and a very public altercation. Dr. Singh's true character is exposed, leading to the cancellation of the engagement and a huge scandal. In the midst of the chaos, Roopi, who has been quietly observing the entire ordeal, finally stands up for herself, declaring that she will choose her own partner and that her mother’s methods are not only outdated but also dangerous.

In the aftermath, Mrs. Sethi, humbled and exhausted, has a heart-to-heart with Roopi. She realizes that her controlling nature stemmed from a deep love and fear for Roopi's future, but also that she must trust her daughter to make her own choices. As Mrs. Sethi genuinely accepts Roopi's independence and wishes for her true happiness, a remarkable thing happens: the ghosts, having witnessed Mrs. Sethi's genuine remorse and her newfound understanding, begin to glow and slowly fade away, finally finding their peace. Their unresolved issues were not just about Roopi's marriage, but about Mrs. Sethi learning to let go and to love unconditionally, allowing her daughter to forge her own path.

The film concludes with Roopi pursuing her own dreams, and a subtle hint of romance developing between her and Detective Raj, who has, by now, cleared Mrs. Sethi of any wrongdoing, attributing the "accidents" to a series of bizarre coincidences. Mrs. Sethi, now free of her spectral burden and having learned a profound lesson, finds a new sense of peace and a quieter, more supportive role in her daughter's life, perhaps even taking up a new hobby that doesn't involve accidental fatalities. The film leaves the audience with a warm, fuzzy feeling, celebrating cultural identity, the power of family love, and the delightful absurdity of life and, indeed, the afterlife.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Shabana Azmi as Mrs. Sethi
• Goldy Notay as Roopi
• Sendhil Ramamurthy as Detective Raj
• Sally Hawkins as Linda
• Zoe Wanamaker as Mrs. Goldsmith

Crew:

• Director: Gurinder Chadha
• Writers: Gurinder Chadha, Paul Mayeda Berges
• Producers: Gurinder Chadha, Deepak Nayar
• Music by: Craig Pruess
• Cinematography: Igor Jadue-Lillo
• Film Editing: Justin Krish

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: 2010-04-09 (UK)
• Language: English
• Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
• Running Time: 100 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for Best Comedy Film at the London Critics Circle Film Awards; Audience Award nominee at the Mumbai Film Festival.