BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Starring: R. Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut, Jimmy Shergil, Swara Bhaskar
Director: Anand L. Rai

A scintillating love story, this is not. But director Anand Rai certainly offers a refreshing journey through the heartland of India as Tanu and Manu chase their dreams cross country to eventually realize that their destination was the same, after all. 

Manu Sharma ( R Madhavan ) is a shy, sombre and simple NRI doctor with a heart of gold visiting India in search of his virtuous, desi bride. His parents have lined up girls in different cities ranging from Lucknow, Noida and Kapurthala. They start with Kanpur, hometown of Tanuja Trivedi ( Kangana Ranaut ). No shrinking violet, Tanu is loud and pugnacious, rebelling everything that defines a middle class mentality. She drinks straight out of bottle, smokes, changes boyfriends every week and is currently in love with a railway contractor (Jimmy Sheirgill ), an implied ruffian in small towns of north India. The ruffian hires gundas to rough up the eager groom. A black eyed Manu falls for Tanu anyway, the first time he sees her, while she is passed out. He even kisses her forehead affectionately while no one is watching. Tanu rejects Manu, and asks him to refuse her rishta and he does, hiding his pain behind a smile.

The Sharmas have help from Manu's best friend, Pappi (Deepak Dobriyal) in their quest for daughter-in-law. Even as the search for Manu's bride continues, Pappi and Manu decide to attend their friend’s wedding in Punjab, the land and premises where most of our filmi heroes and heroines seem to find love. As it turns out, Tanu is also at the same wedding, accompanying the bride Payal ( Swara Bhaskar), her best friend. Tanu has an ulterior motive, she plans to marry her boyfriend, even as she strings along the dreamy eyed NRI doc culminating to a climax with two sets of baratis. 

How this movie ends, needless to say is predictable. The plot itself is all too familiar, think Jab We Met or Pardes, where men are the messiahs selflessly helping the women they love, pursue another man. Tanu weds Manu, however, holds it's own, thanks to Rai's realistic approach, be it characters, streets, surroundings or the tantalizing colloquium. Having said that, there was room for so much more. The script, especially post interval is sluggish. Some blaring loopholes in the narrative. For example, Jimmy Shergill not recognizing Madhavan as the prospective groom, even after it is suggested that Jimmy was in fact the one who sent Madhavan's photo to Ravi kissan, to have him beaten up, makes no sense. Also, Kangana's sudden change of heart does not add up to the initial definition of the character. A carefree, boisterous girl turns melodramatic without substantial reasoning. This is sort of disappointing especially since the second part seems stretched, and could have been used to develop the character's reaction more gradually. The most endearing role Pappi, played delectably by Deepak Dobriyal is commendable. The chemistry between Madhavan and him is raw and earthy. In fact the friendship between the two is several notches above the lead pair. Another surprise is the feisty character Payal, played by Swara Bhaskar. She's a natural, and perfectly compliments Kangana's character. Jimmy Shergill deserves a special mention. Clearly one of our most under-rated actors, Jimmy shines in his limited space. His final dialogue delivery, and love-hate relation with Madhavan is a treat to watch. Kangana, trying to break her mould struggles to portray the bubbly and vivacious Tanu. She lacks the spunk and spontaneity required by the character.

Music track 'Jugni' is catchy as is 'Sadi Gali'. Cinematography by Chirantan Das, that captures Indian cities in its most organic, non-enhanced format is heartwarming and delightful. Director Anand Rai succeeds most in breaking most cliches'. Manu, the lead is no lovelorn, NRI lover boy like the Rahuls and Rajs, instead is rather unassuming, reticent, and demure in conduct. The dialogues, settings very local in flavor are truly raw and rustic. What really goes against the movie is the script that could have enriched the experience even further. While it may not be the best rom-com to go down in memory, Madhavan, Dobriyal and Swara offer enough to keep you entertained.