Am I the only one having problem with ‘Tanu weds Manu returns’?

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I have a peculiar problem. I do not know what to do, when I do not share viewer’s euphoria for a film by my favourite actress, Kangana Ranaut. While the whole filmy ecosystem (read media and every one that I have met) is celebrating it, I am cringing at the thought and cry. Why Kangu why?

Was ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ not enough of a good film? Why did the team try to re-invent the magic in ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ (TWMR) and fail in doing so? As a viewer I saw stale predictable storyline and episodes strung together with great cinematography but some not-so-deft editing.

I know I am a week late in telling this. Unfortunately I saw it this Saturday and took time to recover from it. If you have not seen the movie you may avoid this review. For a change I may end up spoiling the predictable story and deny you that aha pleasure of a ‘Not again’ moment.

I know TWMR is on way to 100-cr mark. It makes my task difficult. It seems I am not in sync with the newly acquired country taste in entertainment. Maybe I have lost touch or have become too much of a critic critic. Both are questionable and problematic development.

Anyway, TWMR is topped with unquestionable comfortable stereotypes that we all have about the small towns.  Like every one else Anand Rai too paints this Unmetro as places that are still in 1970’s. No, I don’t think I have any issue with it.

So, Do I hate that spineless character Manu (Madhavan) marrying Tanu (Kangana) at the end? He leaves Kusum  (Kangana- double role) after sixth plera. Wow. Now tell me which MAN will remarry his wife, who leaves him in mental asylum, with whom there is no spark left.

Do I feel saddened when Kusum so selfishly willingly hands over Manu to Tanu? Do I feel annoyed that with the straight confident walk after making them meet again, she gets out of sight and howls? Maybe.

Do I hate a simple character Kusum being treated tardily? I am confused.  What is the message that the director wants to deliver? I am not sure what promise this remarriage has. I am worried that it leaves door open for ‘Tanu Weds Manu Re-return’ ( TWMRR). Maybe I do. I am not sure if Raja Awasthi was really bad, good or totally confused in what he wanted. Do I hate this domesticated less volcanic Raja Awasthi (Jimmy Shergill).  Was I praying that Tanu ends up with Raja Awasthi? But good girls don’t make such mistakes, not in Indian films and never when they are the lead actresses.

Am I the only one who wants to know what happened to Pappi’s (Deepak Pokhriyal) love?

I am unable to reason out why would couple meet marriage counsellor inside mental asylum. How easily without much of test they decide to keep one of the two for treatment. The situation penned as a laugh riot is so naturally true in many couples life that I failed to laugh or feel sad.

I am sure that the Indian male is laughing while old lessons are reiterated for the fairer sex. You need to get him back. It does not matter if you can not live together. Ensure if he is not yours then he does nott find happyness with anyone else. Do everything possible, break some one heart, put undue pressure, emotionally blackmail, dance- but get him back.

There are too many reasons for me not-liking ( Not saying I hate it ) the film.

While I say that, there are excellent  performances individually and collectively.  That reminds me of another film AAKSH- frame perfect but not a complete film. It bombed. Fortuately that is not the fate of this film. “Yaha log acchi film  bhi to box office collection sey naptey hai  hain, ego hurt ho jayegi”. And if people are saying that Kangana may again win best actress award, well she could because this is a kind of role she excelles in.

Kangana is a treat in TWMR. There is no way for you not to love her. I am biased about her. Yet, I believe he has a limitation in her expressions. Maybe,  I am the only one feeling so. She takes your heart as a young Haryanvi girl who is bindass. Her open confronting attitude and the coyness together makes a terrific combination. Kangana with the perfect costume and makeup help is able to faultlessly carry the double role. The character are so well definned and acceserrised inluding attitude and accent that you do question if it is the same lady when both share the screen. “I think I love her, but I’ve stopped fully appreciating her. I like her  like a ready to eat mutton shorba.”

Madhavan ( Manu)carries on as if he continued  shooting and there was no break between the two movies.  The same sulkyness, the sly smile, the eagaerness and the confused looks. A golgappa of quiteness. Deepak Dobriyal ( Pappi) continues his sparking performance.

Jimmy Shergill ( Raja Awasthi) remains true to his character, the strong man with a golden heart. The confused one, in love with the idea of love. Falling for a look alike of his ex. He is one of the most underrated and underexploited actor in the industry. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub (Chintu) the young advocate , as the slimy chacarter does brilliant in his role. One pity him and many such lovers across the country. Truely mirroring  the misunderstood love and lusty love that is found in abundance.

There are dialogues that have huge chance to be quoted. Tanu- ‘Sharmajee, Hum todhe bewafa kya huayeh aaptoh Badchalan ho gayeh’ beicng the pick. Manu- “waah sharmajee, Reebok nahi toh Reebokey hi sahi”. . Raja Awasth-  ‘Saale original waali bhi rakhogey aur duplicate bhi’ , ‘Ab utro ghdi se, hum eek baar chadh nahi payein , yeh hai ki utarne ka naam hi nahi le rahein”. Overall, the film in my view drags a lot. It has its moments of pride and you do end up laughing at dialogues that reflects and catches numances of collaquial speak.

Go and watch it. It is good for one time viewing and that is the fault with it being too predictibel and tryng too hard to ake a slim storyline work.