Riz Ahmed stars and writes this heavily autobiographical film about a Pakistani British rapper on the brink of success when he is diagnosed with a chronic condition.
Mogul Mowgli is a deeply personal film that will evoke empathy with any immigrant, refugee or second generation immigrant. The camerawork is exceptional, it feels very much like handheld shots which creates the realistic atmosphere.
Z is just about to embark on his first music tour when he has some terrible news regarding his health so his competitor the hilarious rapper, RPG takes his spot.
"There would be no Drake without Whoopi Goldberg" One of the funniest sequences is when RPG visits Z and tries to console him (but fails miserably) about not being able to go on tour.
The challenge to navigate through life when someone is from dual cultures is shown in this film in a really beautiful, sometimes comic and tender way. Z's mother burns chilis, a tradition in some countries in Asia, to check if the 'evil eye' has been placed on her son. It has, and she knows because there is no scent when she burns the chilis.
There is a haunting figure of Z's imagination of a religious figure in Sikh culture, an older man with flowers across his face so we cannot identify him that constantly stalks him.
The ending of the film is guaranteed to make you cry, a huge release. Z and his father chant "Toba Tek Singh' which we suspect is the name of the haunting figure that follows Z throughout his difficult life experience.
The end scene has so much passion and vigor which reminds the audience of the struggling and often persistent nature of immigrants and refugees. A truly spectacular, delicious film. As a consequence I want to see Riz Ahmed in concert, his message is important, intuitive and hilarious.
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