Monica O My Darling

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of my analysis, I shall convey my sincere admiration for Vasan Bala and the stupendous job he has done as the Director here! Black Comedies are quite tough to pull off, one little mistake, and the whole shebang could go off the track at any given time, at any given moment.

Not to mention the Writing has to be precise and it should also conserve a tonal equilibrium between the comedy and the heart-stricken calamities. Any presence of incompetence in its supervision will spoil the party and the film will end up being a middling affair filled with nothing but mediocrities.

Vasan Bala, however, is one unique force to be reckoned with, especially in this specific realm that employs tragedies and their subsequent results. Not only is he aware of his mastership, but it also is one such genre he's quite familiar with, and let me give you some assurance here, he owned it, and he did not disappoint; on the contrary, I do feel this is his best work to date.

P. S. One of the finest usage of Background Music I have ever seen (or heard) in my entire lifetime. Now, some of you might argue that it's overstuffed, matter of fact, it probably is, yes, but Mr. Bala's approach served the narrative nonetheless!

Monica O My Darling review :

Basically a crime thriller with a humorous twist; Vasan Bala's Monica O My Darling premiered on Netflix this week instead of taking the theatrical route. Looking at the fate of his earlier Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2019) which bombed despite being its brilliance, a direct OTT seems to be a wise strategy.

Cut to the film, it starts with an accident suspiciously looking like a murder and then time-travels six years ahead. Jayant (Rajkummar Rao) is the newly crowned director of a Robotics company Unicorn. He is dating the CEO (veteran Vijay Kenkre)'s daughter Nikki (Akansha) until the secretary Monica (Huma Qureshi) drops the "Main tumhare bachcha ki maa" bomb on him. Then the game of blackmail and murder starts and soon enough, Unicorn becomes the epicenter of crime as each one of its top executives are bumped off one by one!!

The screenplay is wonderfully woven in to a tight two hours ten minutes of thrilling ride which keeps you hooked and engaged throughout. There are plenty of pop culture references like a hotel named Prince Amar after Dev Saahab's immortal character in Jewel Thief (1967) and Dharmendra's iconic moment from Johnny Gaddar (2007) appearing at a crucial juncture. Vasan Bala even references his own movie by adding a fleeting appearances of his two leads. Its all fun, its pure retro and its highly entertaining.

The performances are also first rate. Huma Qureshi is super duper as Monica Machado, the sexy secretary who has an affair too many for her own good. Rajkummar Rao is assuredly competent in a complex role where he doesn't know whom to trust!! Sikandar Kher springs a surprise as the CEO's sidelined and silently conspiring beta. It's good to see Shiva Rindani on screen after eons.. he's referred as Captain Zattack in one scene. Waah!! Radhika Apte as the investigating cop, doesn't get much scope but still leaves her solid mark.

Monica O My Darling indulges in multiple genres at the same time. There is black humour, murder mystery, office politics, survival drama etc all mixed together perfectly. I loved the moment when Rajkummar and Huma get in to a deadly physical brawl, stop at one point and then reconcile. It reminded me of Sriram Raghavan's far brilliant Johnny Gaddar (2007). Incidentally here, a pivotal character is called Johnny too. Oh yes!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

The moment the movie starts you know that you are in for a roller coaster ride. Slick editing, retro music, background score immediately engages the audience and the guessing game starts on who is the hunter and hunted. I would suggest that if you are going to watch in a group then raise a wager.

On the acting front it's a Rajkumar Rao show ably supported by the other actors most notably Huma Qureshi. Radhika Apte has very little to do but delivers with usual gusto.

Some chinks though in terms of too much background music, could have maintained more suspense etc. Could have shown more of Pune city and its vibrancy.

A few blink n miss cameos from actors who have played a couple in one move.

You will get the feeling of Johhny Gaddar and Andhadhun while watching this movie.

Seldom comes a movie with a story, screenplay, acting, direction etc. That's a perfect 10. Monica O My Darling just misses it's mark by a whisker.

Rajkumar Rao worked as he do always, Good.

Huma Huma Huma... As Monica she is Fab.

Kher Shahab fan always.

Perumal Ji Have only some scenes gives a laughter.

Radhika Apte - nice.

The timing of Comedy is well Managed and Delivered.

Storyline is Good and Engaging.

Somewhere it feels like story is going down but it's okay.

They Recreated the Location of The Hotel Prince Amer - Jewel Theif Devanand's Classic Movie.

Just of a moment but that's good.

While watching pause in moments and notice goods things.. Like - (thank you for pausing to read names)

Thrilling Story.

I read it was adapted than its very nicely adapted.

Nicely written and directed. A worth Watch.

• itsbymayank Review of Monica O My Darling.

Overall thoroughly enjoyable. Have not enjoyed anything rom the Hindi industry for ages. This comes like a breath of fresh air.

It is not without its faults like the direction and screenplay could have been a bit more taut but overall a delightful film.

Rajkumar, Huma, Radhika Sikander and everyone else do so well I just Marvel at how talented these guys and girls are unlike the talentless overhyped, media made so called A listers today.

A huge revelation for me personally was Huma and Sikander who deserve a lot more and I can only hope and pray that they get their dues.

We all know about the talents of Rajkumar and Radhika and as usual they come out aces! Truly gifted talents.

Enjoy this one, don't take it too seriously but it's not a time pass one either. It's a wonderful joy ride!