Confused in love

Shuddh Desi Romance
Hindi (U/A)¬¬¬
Director: Maneesh Sharma
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor

If Shuddh Desi Romance (SDR) belongs to anyone, it is its dialogue writer Jaideep Sahni, also known for his work in ‘Tere Bin Laden’ and ‘Chak De! India’. For, though a film belongs to a director — Maneesh Sharma in this case — it is the dialogues that work the best as they go beyond performances, direction and music or camerawork.

While these departments are not lacking here, it is Sahni’s dialogues which hold the film awhile and convey the uncertainty that the main protagonists feel.

And feel they do — confused, afraid, lost and oh! so scared of commitment. Sushant Singh as Raghu is only too willing to fall in love, never mind that he little understands its meaning or import. So, on his way to his own marriage he falls in love with Gayatri (Parineeti Chopra) who is a hired baraati!

Over the overnight journey, Raghu decides to move away from his prospective wife Tara (Vaani Kapoor) and move in with Gayatri. Life comes full circle when after a year of living in, they decide to marry but he is stood up when Gayatri runs away on the night of the marriage — which makes it convenient for Tara to return — and confuse him all over again. Who will Raghu finally marry is what forms the crux of the film.

A commentary on the current state of mind where youth is concerned, SDR captures your attention in the first half but fizzles away in the second. Parineeti and Sushant’s chemistry is to be enjoyed but not to die for.

They seem keen on convincing the viewers rather than themselves that they are in love. Vaani makes a good debut but smiles too much for her own good, largely remaining unaffected by the fact that she is ditched twice.  

Pritam Das’ sound design is imaginative and not found in mainstream Hindi cinema and works, including in its use of silences. But that is about it. SDR is a one-time watch if you are in love with Sushant or Parineeti but can be avoided if the other Chopra (Priyanka) be your preference.