Kings of Mulberry Street Let Love Reign is the latest South African children’s comedy film, released on Netflix on 7th April 2023. It is written and directed by Judy Naidoo with a runtime of about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The film is a sequel to the 2019 film of the same name and the Sugarhill heroes Harold and Ticky in yet another heroic act.
The cast of the film includes Liam Dunpath, Shaan Nathoo as Harold Singh (Baboo), Hamish Kyd, Riyaad Nakooda, Kogie Naidoo as Granny Chetty, Kimberley Arthur, Amith Sing as Dev Singh, Bertha le Roux-Wahl, Mayuri Naidu, Luversen Gerard, Kaseran Pillay, Vaneshran Arumugam and others.
Netflix’s description of the film reads:
When Granny Chetty is abducted by an evil ex-cop, Ticky and Baboo return for a wild rescue mission, complete with a prized necklace and a musical show.
-Kings of Mulberry Street Let Love Reign Review Does Not Contain Any Spoilers-
The story is set in the 90s in the year 1993, we meet our protagonists Harold and Ticky who live in the Sugarhill District. Harold lives with his father and Ticky lives with his parents and grandmother. Both of them are free-spirited action romantics who find their inspiration from Bollywood movies and songs.
One night when they were sneaking out with Granny Chetty to go to Leila’s birthday party, they don’t realise the danger waiting for them there. While Granny was busy at the casino, someone there recognised her and the two boys from the heroic act they did last time & caught the bad guys. Now one of the bad guys who were involved in it, ex-police commander Veerasamy, works as a guard at the resort where they have visited.
Filled with his desire for revenge, especially when one of his acquaintances refuses to acknowledge him, now that he has lost his power and status – he wants to take it out on the people responsible for it. He hatches the plan to abduct the Granny with Harold and Ticky, giving them the only condition of stealing a valuable diamond necklace which is in Veerasamy’s acquaintance’s possession, to take their granny back home.
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Harold and Ticky realise that the only way to steal the necklace is by luring the person who has the necklace to the place they can easily get their hands on it. Since the necklace owner was living in the resort, that’s when the idea of a fake Bollywood show extravaganza comes to their mind, so that when everyone’s occupied with the show, they can steal the necklace. Sound easy right? But it isn’t, added to the complicated relations and secrets among the stealing crew.
Apart from being an action-led comedy, the film also deals with the subject of single-parent & child dynamics in the case of Harold and his dad Dev. Also, young love and the impeccable friendship between the two boys, who keep their friendship above all. The use of Bollywood classics and even some American songs add a layer of nostalgia to the story as hearing those songs reminds you of the time when they were the ‘It’ songs.
While the previous film dealt with the topics of apartheid, class and religious distinction, the two boys slowly forge a friendship, keeping all differences aside. In the latest film, the conditions in South Africa are changing and it is more about the comedy and action that ensues in their shenanigans.
Final Thoughts: Kings of Mulberry Street Let Love Reign
It is a lighthearted and quick watch that the whole family can watch together. It has its fair share of funny moments and some delicate moments too that makes it a wholesome watch. There are a few things that don’t have an explanation and make you think about how did that happen, but overall there aren’t many plotholes that would take away the charm.
Kings of Mulberry Street Let Love Reign is currently streaming on Netflix.