Manmarziyaan

Human emotions and actions are complex and for years Bollywood tried to show it in simple ways which Indian audience can comprehend easily. Especially this is true when we are talking about love and passion. Manmarziyan has tried to change it a little bit but how successfully the audience will decide. Anurag Kashyap has been giving off late that he now wants to make a love story, a glimpse of that we can see in Mukkabaaz . Now he comes with its first full fledged Love story at last in its latest offering Manmarziyan. In Netflix's Lust story Anurag has showcased the complex nature of a Lady when it comes to handling love affairs and relationship. In Manmarziyan, Anurag Kashyap has passed this Baton to Tapsee Pannu from Radhika Apte. Manmarziyaan has got everything from Passion, anger, disappointment in love. But the strongest point as always been in Anurag Kashyap's movie is that how well he gets out the best off from his actors. We are talking of Tapsee Pannu which is a revelation and takes the character of Rumi to next level. The energy level of Tapsee and Vicky Kausal was essential to what the film has called has Fyaar and not Pyaar. Abhishek Bachhan has done what he has good at, maintain a silent but effective personality which can be compared to Ajay Devgan's character in Hum Dil de chuke Sanam. But audience should not fall into a trap that it belongs to the genre which Hum Dil de chuke Sanam and Woh Saat din were. This one is very complex and dive deep into the Human Psyche of Love, wants and obsession. Characters Vicky Kausal portrayed a character who is obsessed with Rumi(Tapsee)and doesn't know anything else apart from loving her. While Rumi shares the same obsession, she is also a bit logical towards her approach to Love. Robbie played by Abhishek Bachhan played a silent caring guy who tries to portray himself that he is a man of morals and sacrifice for other's happiness but doesn't hesitate to manipulate people to get Rumi. Screenplay and Story Writer,Kanika Dhillon who for the first time has written a Love story (previously being RA One)is good in parts. Her screenplay slacks more than often and can be considered as the biggest reason ,why 156 minutes seemed too long for the film. She was on the money in the first half but her screenplay lost the grip in the second half only to regain in the last 30 minutes of the film. Direction It is more often than not Anurag Kashyap's movie is called director's movie but I would say that this movie belong to its actors specially Tapsee Pannu and Vicky Kausal. Anurag Kashyap does exceptionally well in the first half when he showed the electrifying chemistry between Rumi and Vicky. But he was nowhere close to his best while Love triangle started to take shape in the second half. Although very well intentioned but Anurag failed to communicate properly the conflicts going inside Rumi's mind and her decision that followed. Music It is no denial of the fact that Amit Trivedi is the most talented music director in the industry. His soundtrack is excellent and the songs are woven so beautifully in the movie that they never looked out of place and they even enhanced the effectiveness of the scenes. Daryaa and Dhayanchand are the highlights of the movie and they are used very effectively by Anurag. But the sad part is that they were not used properly during promotions and this is evident that having such good songs , none of them were chartbusters. Most of the audience will discover its great music only when they watch the movie.

What is good

Performances of lead cast The soundtrack and music The chemistry between Tapsee and Vicky Kausal The new complex treatment to Bollywood old age love triangle The authentic settings used in the movie

What is not so Good

The run time of 156 mins, the film could have easily reduced by 15 minutes or so The editing, particularly in first 30 minutes of the second half The director's lack of experience in delivering in genre of romance and love.

The movie deserves much more success and following than it has. One of the lesser known projects by Anurag Kashyap but unlike his other movies - with a headline cast, music and a love story! Imagine, Martin Scorsese making a love story, yet with his stamp written all over it. Let's move to the review:

First the cons (this is very difficult since the film is stunning!):

(a) Length perhaps? No, I give up. Have no idea what moments could have been cut down. So tightly directed!

Pros:

(a) super script, great direction, tightly edited, completely engrosses you. Every scene was important, and every character complex, realistic and well crafted. (b) background track, lyrics, dialogues are poetic and infuse intensity. The locale - Punjab and Kashmir, the culture, the social mileu is the canvas on which this film is pained. Silences are as powerful as the noise. (c) on the performances, Tapsee and Vicky are as good as ever, shape shifters as they are and playing complex characters. The biggest surprise is Abhishek Bacchan who outperforms himself and channels some of the skills his father is known for! The acting cannot be faulted. (d) common to many AK movies, there are Shakespearean influences (the twins, characters who deteriorate or change, fundamental human dilemmas, rich in existential questions). (e) making a love story from a centuries old tale that grips you like this is in itself an experience. Exploring, love, lust, sex, heartbreak, commitment in this manner is quite something. With the exceptional music and song writing that ties into the movie, have the subtitles on!

Go and watch this movie! This is my third review on IMDb and i dont rate movies this highly often!

It was so refreshing a romance, so uniquely presented and performed. Hats off to Anurag Kashyap and the actors. If Tapsee Pannu does not get the best actress award for this one, I don't know who should. She was simply brilliant in the movie.

This one is another gem from Anurag. It's one of my favourite films that came out in 2018. This film feels like reading a book. Such a delite to see detailed characterisation for even the side characters in the story. But, unfortunately this is a film ahead of its time for Indian audience.

The oldest concept of the bollywood world - love triangle - shown in a brilliant way.. abhishek bacchan steals the show !!! Tapsee and Vicky have performed amazingly!! Just go watch it!!