'Parivarik ManuRanjan' review: Aditi Rao Hydari-Pankaj Tripathi lead forgettable romance
What's the story
SonyLIV's new Hindi film Parivarik ManuRanjan brings together two unlikely leads: Aditi Rao Hydari and Pankaj Tripathi. Directed by Varun V Sharma, the movie is written by Sharma, Brijendra Kala, and Ali Abbas Zafar. The film boasts a promising premise and surefooted lead performances, but its scattershot screenplay and forced twists make it a chore to sit through.
Plot
A middle-aged man falls for his housekeeper
Sharma's directorial follows Ranjan (Tripathi), a 40-year-old bachelor who lives alone in Lucknow.
One day, he hires Helen/Manu (Rao Hydari) as a "property manager-cum-housekeeper."
Much to his relatives' chagrin, he spends time with her and falls for her.
However, an unexpected secret from Helen's past threatens to tear them apart.
Kala plays Ranjan's friend, Raja Ram, and Sunita Rajwar plays Tamannah, Raja Ram's wife.
#1
Just more of the same
Parivarik ManuRanjan swears by the template of small-town storytelling.
Every character is an irritating caricature; arcs are non-existent; and unfunny jokes pass for comedy.
In some ways, the film mirrors the setting of Gullak, Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Dupahiya, but sorely lacks their warmth and sharpness.
Sharma tries to populate this world with vibrant supporting characters, but he isn't entirely successful.
#2
Rajwar gets yet another stereotypical role
Rajwar plays Ranjan's reels-obsessed neighbor.
In Ranjan's words, "Inhe reels ka rog lag gaya hai."
This role is starkly similar to Rajwar's character in Gullak, and the gifted actor seems trapped playing motormouth characters.
Moreover, the trope of social-media-obsessed characters needs to be retired for good.
It seldom adds anything to the story, and results in flat sequences.
#3
We needed more time with the characters
Parivarik ManuRanjan pays little attention to character development.
Much of what we know about Ranjan comes from tiresome voiceovers.
The project is too afraid to slow down and let us spend time with Ranjan and Helen.
Constant background music tells us to laugh, smile, and feel for the characters.
You should feel these emotions organically, but the story barely moves you.
#4
The screenplay is a hodgepodge
Parivarik ManuRanjan tries to juggle multiple genres and goes haywire.
It wants to be a comedy, a social drama, and a family drama all at once, and Sharma struggles to balance these elements.
The film starts on a promising note and features veteran artists, so it's even more surprising to see the narrative take unexpected turns.
#5
The actors try to salvage the movie
Rao Hydari and Tripathi try to keep the film afloat with their assured performances.
Tripathi enjoys several meaty scenes and gets yet another chance to flex his artistic muscles.
Rao Hydari, too, fits the role of a tender woman seeking a new identity through her job.
The film also encourages viewers to look beyond people's professions—a much-needed lesson for an increasingly classist society.
Verdict
A wasted opportunity; 2/5 stars
Parivarik ManuRanjan promises a tender, age-appropriate romance, but misfires.
Its idea of comedy?
A character calling herself a "religious wife" (she means "dharmpatni") and a man joking about "blue drums."
Parivarik ManuRanjan is the kind of film where even antagonists magically transform after listening to lengthy speeches.
The drama seems charming on the surface, but ultimately ends up as a forgettable watch.
2/5 stars.