In the midst of a dated script and a
contrived narrative Rajkumar Rao stands tall trying in every cinematic moment
to salvage this anti dowry women empowerment cliché. Does he stand tall!! Well
beyond his physical stature and box office draw this actor who has occupied the
Amol Palekar space does a predictably honest translation. More on that later.
An aspiring government clerk Satyender (Raj Kumar) goes through the motions of
a middle class arranged marriage. Even as he walks the beaten path, the
families are through a typical take on matrimony. The bride to be Aarti (Kriti
Kharbanda) is determined to marry the man the family has chosen but still
dreams of being a career person. Her parents (Govind Ramdeo and Navini
Parihaar) are told to get the dowry in place. Maternal uncle (Manoj Pahwa) is
around to help. The groom’s Dad Jugal Kishore (K.K. Raina) gives into domestic
demands for dowry. Even as the preps for the wedding is on way, sis Abha
(Nayani Dixit – energetic lively performance) walks in. Minutes before the
wedding things go wrong. Aarti chooses her career and walks away, leaving
behind the non-ambitious Satyender high and dry. It is half time.
Also, time for a V change in patterns attitude and lifestyle. The laid back
Satyender is now the District Magistrate. Aarti as the Sub Registrar gets
involved in a land scam. Her dreams come crashing down as the DM is the Enquiry
Officer. He takes advantage and decides to avenge the rejection that remains
and returns to haunt. Her career and reputation are at stake. Life comes a full
circle. Every attempt on her part to apologise and make amends only leads to
further humiliation. The relationship, over the years has collected huge
bitterness. Will it hold sway and get the better of the relationship, will it
be the sloppy filmy conclusion, watch out.
Like a typical shaadi, it has its highs and lows. No, this is not the Sooraj
Bharjatiya type of Shaadi – the videographer’s delight. It also is not the
hurting vivisection of Basu Bhattacharyya. The film has two contrasting spells.
One where the lady is central, lively, spirited and aggressively leading her
fiancé. The later is when she is transformed into a hapless doormat. Some flesh
and authenticity would have done the script a world of good and given it
credibility. Here the film falls on its face.
While Kriti tries hard, she does not have the wherewithal to be the town girl
moving to high places with a dream in her eyes and a hidden desire in her
heart. Raj Kumar on the other hand is a class act. Just like Amol who played
the boy next door in Basu Chaterjee films suddenly transformed into evil in
Bhumika and Agaar this actor is so complete, so perfect, so endearing that you
yearn for more, nay only of him. Watch this film as a salute to great acting
and a wonderful actor.
L. Ravichander.