WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Give and take. Usually, it’s a foregone conclusion in any relationship that at times, compromise will rule the day. In order to find the common, agreeable ground on which to establish the foundation to be together in a way that demonstrates mutual respect and love’s growth, each person ideally finds the means to bend to the other when required. However, what might occur when this equilibrium doesn’t manifest? Finding a way to further his education via St. Stephen’s College, in spite of a weakness in speaking English, Madhav Jha (Arjun Kapoor) has goals and aspirations to achieve beyond his humble upbringing in a small village in Bihar. Still, his lack of English vocabulary remains a formidable challenge.
This is until he meets Riya (Shraddha Kapoor), a well-to-do girl from Delhi with whom he falls for from first sight. Intent on becoming more than just friends, the two share a palpable chemistry, yet one barrier stands in the way of Madhav’s intentions–he is looking for that next level in their equation, she is not–with Riya choosing to only be considered his “half girlfriend”. As time moves on and Madhav’s frustration with the arrangement causes friction, life takes the two in different directions, only to have a chance meeting years later. But, when an additional revelation is disclosed and Riya disappears, Madhav sets out against the wishes of both his mother (Seema Biswas) and college friend Shailesh (Vikrant Massey) to track down his one true love.
Next, my Mind:
Some might get to the point of saying the romcom/drama genre in general is either overdone or so overly formulaic that it might just be beating a dead horse to watch the constant efforts being put out there and expecting anything new. Well, for this reviewer, it’s more a case of “why fix what isn’t broken?” as yet again, the prolific industry that is Bollywood delivers another genre winner, packed with all the excellently crafted humor, beautifully orchestrated romantic atmosphere, and heartfelt dramatic elements one expects. Engaging and entertaining throughout, thanks to well-executed direction from Mohit Suri, whimsical, emotionally-charged writing from Tushar Hiranandani and Ishita Moitra, plus the highly emotive musical score from Mithoon, this adaptation of author Cheten Bhagat’s best-selling novel soars on fanciful wings, buoyed by adept performances and the additional gravitas brought by a myriad of songs delivered by singers Arijit Singh and Shashaa Tirupati among many others.
Coming off his hilarious and effective role as househusband Kabir in last year’s “Ki & Ka”, Arjun Kapoor shines once more in this effort as the love-stricken Madhav Jha, a young man full of promise and sweetly portrayed awkwardness whose lack of the grasping the English language is overcome through his pining for Riya, even though his other desires stirring within him for her are often painfully brushed off or thwarted. His dogged pursuit of her despite the indicators it isn’t her interest to reciprocate the feelings is both endearing and sad, as the pressures from others about letting it go surround him almost from the start. He’s the undeniably lovable everyman, whose additional uncomfortableness around Riya’s upscale parents and friends only makes the pairing more relatable and transparent, even when other factors keep causing the two to be separated, all of which Arjun K enacts with deft precision.
Shraddha Kapoor is so superbly in her wheelhouse as the affluent Riya, the object of the entire St. Stephen’s College male population’s dreams, beautiful yet out of reach, vulnerable but defiant, emotionally guarded yet willing to open up to those she feels most close to. Watching as Riya is forced to navigate the turbulent waters of Madhav’s sought after intentions while fully knowing she doesn’t seek the same depth of equation is heartbreaking, for we know how much she genuinely values him as a trusted friend to have fun with, yet refuses to give in any further than that. Yet, in her hesitations and restrained, reluctant demeanor about their relationship, we are also given glimpses of reasons that might cause these actions, and that running away rather than facing challenges might be in the forefront, even as she now experiences someone who simply accepts her for who she is, and Shraddha K very much illustrates this with affecting poise.
Additional key supporting turns are presented by Massey as Madhav’s stalwart friend/encourager (as well as ardent admonisher when needed) Shailesh, Biswas as Madhav’s mother whose passionate protective streak for her son both aids and hinders Madhav’s ambitions with Riya, Anisa Butt as Shailesh’s wife Rutvi, and Rhea Chakraborty as Anshika, a possible newfound love in Madhav’s upended life. In total, with its themes of friendship vs. relationship, hanging on vs. letting go, and facing problems vs. burying them, “Half Girlfriend” is a strongly impassioned film effort that showcases the lengths we go for what is so deeply longed for via pursuing love, never giving up, and willing to realize that even when our inner storms form and the fears arrive, it’s actually a welcome, healing, and fulfilling thing to not try and stifle it, but to instead just let it rain.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
