Tanu weds Manu is a movie with a unique & unlikely lead pair in the versatile R. Madhavan & Kangana Ranaut who has largely succeeded in edgy roles in movies like Gangster, Raaz 2 where she has been in an inebriated state for most part of the movie. It was reminiscent of the lead pair of Mallika Sherawat & Rahul Bose in 'Pyaar ke side effects' which was a big hit; however coming from a director, Aanand Rai, with 2 unsuccessful previous outings in ‘Thoda Life Thoda Magic’ & ‘Strangers’ expectations were not great. Going by the promos it did look like another romantic comedy with a couple of hit songs and some drama thrown at the end.
Surprisingly the movie is not as simple as expected and certainly is one of those movies with an unpredictable screenplay and well planned twists. Madhavan (Manu) plays a simple doctor from UK who reaches India and is straight away on a bride hunt courtesy his parents and his childhood friend played by Deepak Dobriyal. The first girl he meets is Kangana (Tanu) who sleeps off during this meeting and Manu agrees for marriage, later realizing that Tanu loves someone else and threatens him to say a NO which he does being a thorough gentleman . What follows are some predictable scenes and introduction of few more characters like that of Jimmy Shergill, Swara Bhaskar & Eijaz Khan. As expected Tanu & Manu meet again at their respective friends’ wedding. Does the simple & honest Manu finally win over Tanu who is a complete rebel brat and believes in changing boyfriends but not marriage; forms the rest of the story.
Before the movie even begins you know how it will end, but what makes this movie different as compared to most Hindi Rom-Coms is how it gets there. If you think that midway you have figured out the movie you are deeply mistaken, every other seen is unanticipated and infact this movie is a great test for the people who like guessing the chain of events in a movie. What is particularly impressive is the characterization of the 2 leads and Deepak Dobriyal, Eijaz Khan & Swara Bhaskar and the locations. The cinematography is brilliant and can’t recall a movie in which the cities of Lucknow/Kanpur have been shown so beautifully yet very real. Like the recent successes in past, this movie also benefits from the middle class feel. Most of the songs are in the background and also are a job well done.
Performance wise the trio of supporting actors is brilliant & in top form, especially Deepak Dobriyal as Pappi. He is a show stealer and really keeps the viewer engrossed with his antics. Jimmy Shergill is his usual self – reliable; and puts in a powerful performance. Madhavan plays his role to perfection but the flaw lies in the character itself. It is too one dimensional and the Mr. Nice act sometimes reaches the point of irritation though cute initially.
The BIGGEST problem of the movie lies in person who was likely to benefit from this movie the most, Kangana Ranaut. This movie finally should prove to everyone that this lady CAN NOT act, no matter how good the character may be. The dialogue delivery, the expressions, the accent are totally messed up and from the first scene itself makes you cringe in your seat (actually the second, she doesn’t speak in her first scene :P). Even the make-up is overdone and there is something seriously wrong with her lips, soon people may start calling her Kangana Ran’honth’. Also, the character of Tanu seems a little inspired from Geet of ‘Jab We Met’ but again the difference probably lies in the skill of the 2 actresses.
Overall a movie that can be seen once for Madhavan & Deepak Dobriyal though you will have to bear the torture met out by Kangana & quite a few loopholes in the script, but certainly a movie that for me was better than expected, much better than the Rom-Coms trashed out by YRF/KJo & clones like Break ke Baad, etc. exception being Band Bajaa Baraat...
My Rating - 7/10
(Script - 6/10; Direction – 8/10; Performance – 7/10 (3/10 for Kangana); Entertainment - 8/10; Music – 8/10)
(Script - 6/10; Direction – 8/10; Performance – 7/10 (3/10 for Kangana); Entertainment - 8/10; Music – 8/10)
Starring: R. Madhavan (RHTDM, 3 Idiots, Guru), Kangana Ranaut (Gangster, No Problem), Deepak Dobriyal (Omkara, Delhi 6), Eijaz Khan (mostly tv serials),
Director: Aanand Rai (Thoda Life Thoda Magic, Strangers)
Producer: Sanjay Singh
Writer: Himanshu Sharma (Strangers)
Music: Krsna (Debut)
