Film: Meri Pyaari Bindu
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra
Director: Akshay Roy
What's it about:
Abhimanyu Roy aka Bubla (Ayushmann Khurrana), who has quit his corporate job to turn writer, is fed up with the lack of critical appreciation despite being a successful author. He is lured into returning home by his parents. He is struggling to finish a love story that he has been writing for three years. This writer's block is called Bindu (Parineeti Chopra), his childhood friend. The two have met and parted ways many times. Back at home, when Abhi stumbles across an old audio cassette of their favourite playlist, it sends him down the memory lane where he waltzes in and out of his past and present. His journey is what the movie is about.
What's hot:
The performances are the highlight of the film. Though at times the characters may seem to lack depth, both, Ayushmann and Parineeti succeed in getting you to understand them. Ayushmann's growth as an actor from Vicky Donor to MPB is pretty evident. Parineeti is effortless as she always is. Together they light up the screen. Their chemistry, especially during the college/examination phase is brilliant.
It also helps that the director gets the supporting cast just right. However, between the two, it's Ayushmann who stands taller as the forever-besotted Abhi. Aparajita Adhya and Rajatava Dutta as Abhimanyu’s parents are a pleasure to watch. Fitting into the rom-com genre, the movie has it share of fun moments. The scene where a prospective bride's father reads out a paragraph from Abhimanyu's erotic-horror book has been written well. Mix tapes, typewriters, and the old songs evoke nostalgia. Sachin-Jigar's music is a major plus for the movie.
What's not:
While nostalgia can be a great cinematic tool, one wonders how much the current generation can relate to it. Maneesh Sharma's last venture Dum Laga Ke Haisha too used the tool that has been wielded in this production of his. As far as the characters go, Abhimanyu's actions are result of Bindu's behaviour. His goal of owning a house in Matunga and having two kids within five years seems a bit strange, especially when he has known his friend and her ways since their childhood days.
Parineeti's character is fun, but fickle. She gets a lot more to play with. The movie suffers because the plot is too thin and at times it seems to lose it's way. Director Akshay Roy tries to attempt a rom-com that isn't run-of-the-mill, but the pace of the movie is a letdown. He has successfully created the Kolkata of the 80s, but fails to draw you completely in this world.
What to do:
Watch for the love of nostalgia.
Rating: **1/2 (2.5 stars)
