'Manmarziyaan' Review: Anurag Kashyap directorial encourages the eternal die-hard romantics to dream

Film: Manmarziyaan (Drama) 

Critic's Rating: 3.5 / 5 

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal

Direction: Anurag Kashyap

Duration: 2 hours, 35 minutes

Language: Hindi (U/A)

Story:

Rumi (Taapsee Pannu), a rebellious hockey player from Amritsar is attracted to a commitment-phobic dreamer DJ Vicky (Vicky Kaushal). But when life offers her a chance meeting with dependable, marriage-material banker Robbie (Abhishek Bachchan) from London, she feels she can learn to love him eventually. This triangle between Rumi, Vicky and Robbie throws up some interesting, identifiable life-altering dilemmas that most of us face.

Review:

There is a scene in the film where Rumi is staring mindlessly at animals mating on screen, completely ignoring her newly-wed ‘stranger’ husband. The message is subliminal. Women are not cattle, they need to be nurtured and cared for before they “give in”. Manmarziyaan has this subtlety running all through. You just have to take note.

This is cinema brought to you by two of the finest minds in the current Bollywood pool — Aanand L Rai (producer) and Anurag Kashyap (director). It carries an important message that empowers women. It shows you how men need to love and respect a woman’s body, mind and will. The screenplay rings true for the most part because many of us have faced such a situation as young adults. There is the neighbourhood boy who you are infatuated with and then there is the charming man who walks through the door and offers you marriage as well as a lifelong commitment.

The battle between lust and love is painted in subtle shades of grey and white by writer Kanika Dhillon through the protagonists' tracks. So, Rumi’s infidelity is a virtue here, Vicky’s indecisiveness is celebrated and Robbie’s broad-mindedness is glorified. Only thing is — each of these ‘virtues’ seems stretched, especially in the first half, where Vicky’s selfish — “I want to sleep with you but cannot marry you” — track gets plain boring.

Frankly, nothing is new here. The subject of the incorrigible lover, pining woman and the understanding husband has been tackled innumerable times over by Mani Ratnam in Mouna Ragam (1986), Karan Johar in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) and God knows everyone. So one thought stays constant while watching this film — the premise is all wrong, yet the emotions are so right. Loveless marriages are as much a way of life as lust-filled encounters.

The music by Amit Trivedi has a soulful quality and while none of the songs make you want to get up and dance, they can go down perfectly with a glass of whiskey. Anurag, who doesn’t necessarily do romance well, does a fabulous job here. His Rumi and Vicky with their stubborn streaks have definite appeal. And, his Robbie, who is like Ajay Devgn in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), will stay etched in people’s minds.

As far as performances go — Taapsee, who has shades of Tanu (Kangana Ranaut in Tanu Weds Manu, 2011), is terrific. Her gay abandon, opinionated views and transformation from babe to bahu is superb. Vicky gives his DJ character several nuances. And, Abhishek, who took a two-year break, actually shows you that “things do grow beneath the Banyan tree.” Burdened as he is with being Amitabh Bachchan’s son, he still manages to bring gravitas to his Robbie.

While Manmarziyaan keeps you dreaming of a state of Utopia, it also keeps you pining for Abhishek. It’s a pity this actor doesn’t accept more work.

Verdict:

For the eternal die-hard romantics, Manmarziyaan is that tale which encourages you to dream on, no matter what. Go for it with that special someone.