WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Oh but what a fickle thing is the human heart? We go day by day with some sense of intent as to what exactly it is we desire to experience and make our own, perhaps sometimes going with the flow of tradition and other times wanting to break away and simply do what we want. What happens, therefore, when what we want may not actually be what we need? In a Punjabi village, free-spirited, spunky, and strong-willed Rumi (Taapsee Pannu) has discovered her ideal man in Vicky (Vicky Kaushal), a local aspiring DJ with a highly egocentric attitude and rebellious streak a mile wide. Much to the consternation of her family, Rumi has maintained the relationship as secretly as possible.
However, when the resistance towards Vicky begins to reach fever pitch, Rumi decides it’s time to firm things up, asking him to marry her. Unexpectedly receiving less-than-excited vibes from Vicky, despite every effort he tries to convince her of his love, Rumi caves to an arranged marriage with a London banker named Robbie (Abhishek Bachchan), as she is found by him and his family when they go through a local marriage arranger named Kakaji (Saurabh Sachdeva). However, Rumi’s wild and confused heart still longs to be with Vicky, who also pines beyond measure to be with his muse. Yet, as time passes, it becomes apparent that mere physical love and closeness may be what they both crave, but not what is truly essential.
Next, my Mind:
It’s the fire of youthful passion and lust vs. the realities and grounded stability of real love that highlights this 156-minute romantic drama from director Anurag Kashyap and writer Kanika Dhillon. Taking both a deeply heartfelt yet suitably volatile look at the dynamics of one young couple’s whirlwind, hot-blooded, physical intimacy-based relationship suddenly put to the test when Rumi comes to realize it’s time to grow up, this concept remains accessible and relatable to us as the viewer, and so ensures the narrative can sweep us up and keep us engaged, even as we see the overt conflict within her and Vicky’s path in wanting more out of their connection yet not desiring to let go of the raw enjoyment of the lust-driven nature they’ve been pursuing.
Once that element of completely opposite intention arrives through the societally traditional arranged marriage avenue, the result of it being Robbie and the life balance and secureness her represents, it slams the brakes on Rumi’s entire notions of what actual love can be, a shock to the system to be sure, and hence causes her to reassess what she is really chasing and what it might mean for her future happiness. Again, these are all ideas we’ve entertained in our own lives as we walk the path of life, and how that’s showcased here is so entertaining and captivating while the film’s beautifully shot visual presentation allows us to take in the hustle and bustle of the Punjabi village that serves as much of the film’s primary setting along with briefer but no less impactful visits to Delhi and the pristine, almost ethereal gorgeousness of Kashmir. Add the highly creative dance sequences and, as always, fun and emotionally-charged songs, it’s yet another example of Bollywood’s unique and ever-improving filmmaking prowess.
Pannu is an absolute spitfire of undisguised, sassy passion mixed with moments of undeniably realistic and emotive vulnerability in her role as Rumi, a care-free woman who knows what she wants and goes after it, even when it certainly flies in the face of familial and cultural traditions. Trying to hide the relationship and its physically-based antics with Vicky from her family, it takes getting caught to cause an initial wake-up call within her and prompt asking for the ultimate commitment from him. Once faced with his hesitations, her inner anger then drives her to seek out the more customary route, only to then find herself torn between the two sides of her nature and what she longs to have in a life partner. Watching as Rumi navigates the stormy seas of an unfettered heart and soul is stirring and believable, played with such vigor and unrestrained realism by Pannu throughout the entire film.
Kaushal brings a hearty bravado and almost over-the-top zeal to his role as Vicky, a local Punjabi DJ who’s aiming for the stars with his music while tearing up the sheets with Rumi, fully knowing the pair are playing with fire. Once he is confronted very directly with how Rumi’s family feels about their dalliances, Vicky tries to take things in stride until asked “THE question”. Totally irresponsible in general and not at all wanting to feel forced to settle down, his negation of Rumi’s proposal sets off a hugely turbulent, heart-rending battle between them, as he feels unequivocally that he cannot live without her, yet cannot remotely commit to the level she is seeking. By the time Vicky tries to possibly find that foundational steadiness he knows he and Rumi both require, it might be too late, or it might still reflect he’s still just not ready to be what the film’s title alludes to…husband material. In it all, Kaushal brings a stout, energetic, and resonating performance to the screen.
Being the son of a legendary Bollywood icon doesn’t intimidate or slow down the excellent and purposeful efforts of Bachchan as Robbie, a successful, London-based banker who comes into Rumi’s world via the arranged marriage path initiated by their families. His attraction to her is so multi-faceted, and his more reserved overall demeanor becomes the perfect and innocent foil to Rumi’s more devil-may-care attitude. As he tries to get to know Rumi, who’s closed off more than interested, the patience he demonstrates is a tangible force that very much impacts her the more they’re together. Once in a formal relationship, it is still a massively uphill fight for Robbie to win her affections, but once he does, it is so tender, sincere, and affecting for them both. Still, also having to compete with Rumi’s ongoing yearnings for Vicky increases a slowly smoldering tension that threatens to tear everyone apart. Bachchan totally delivers a realistic and beautifully understated performance that endears you to his character.
Supporting turns are likewise wonderful and aplenty, including Sachdeva as the local village marriage planner Kakaji, who tends to get himself in trouble with his quite comedic banter and manner, Ashnoor Kaur as Rumi’s little sister Kiran, who tries her best to “protect” Rumi in helping her hide her relationship with Vicky while also genuinely wanting what’s best for her, Gaurav Amlani as Vicky’s friend Raja who does all he can do to support Vicky’s attachment to Rumi, along with Arun Bali as Rumi’s grandfather, Neelu Kholi and Swairaj Sandhu as Robbie’s parents, Vikram Kochhar as Robbie’s brother, Sukhmani Sadana as Robbie’s potential bride Lovely Singh, as well as appearances from Abdul Quadir Amin , Rajinder Singh, and Jasmine Bajwa. In total, “Manmarziyaan” is a wonderfully put together piece of Indian cinema that has all the usual elements one comes to expect and enjoy while delivering memorable performances from its stars and acting as a reminder to us all about the nature of the human heart, what it wants, how we go about attaining those desires, and being open to mature and act upon what’s best for us going forward from youth into adulthood.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
