Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

We all love Ayushmann's choice of scripts that strike a balance between catering to mainstream Bollywood sensibilities and conveying subtle, progressive messages. CKA is yet another film that starts in typical rom-com fashion - Manu (Ayushmann), a gym owner and bodybuilder, loves Maanvi (Vaani), a Zumba instructor. But there's a little secret that changes its entire course. It's that Maanvi is a trans woman. When the revelation is made, Manu acts the way most taunting (cis-gender) Indian men would do, but he also uses very harsh language at Maanvi in the process. In real life, for such a couple to reconcile, it would take a lot longer than a single hospital episode. But this is commercial Bollywood, mind you! If it wants quick(er) closure, it'll give you exactly that.

Also, what if Maanvi was not a self-reliant, strong-willed, reasonably wealthy person? Doesn't that lessen some of the most significant hurdles that trans persons face in the form of complex surgeries? These convenient shortcuts are forsaken simply because the intent is appreciable. I also wish the climax was centered around giving closure to Maanvi instead of something that's comparatively less significant. We could also have used some more insight into gender reassignment surgery, especially since the film had the golden opportunity to go there.

One of the few things it wholly gets right is the occasional humor. I thought it would be offensive to a great extent, but thankfully it isn't. Even better that some of it arises from unique situations. While we can easily question why Vaani was chosen to play a trans woman, she gives it her all. For once, it isn't Ayushmann doing all the heavy lifting in an Ayushmann movie. And it was a neat move on the writers' part to show Manu doing all the homework on LGBTQ himself, instead of some doctor spoon-feeding him.

The had great concept and the way it chooses to represent it was good. The pacing is slow and the film gets boring sometimes. Other than that the acting performances were amazing.

Anwar Says: Ayushmann Khurana films are a genre in themselves and this movie is the final say and the best in the league Abhishek Kapur is there to direct. An artist whose debut was as a donor, can take up any script and prove himself. The film is a complete package in itself, at one time entertains you and at the same time addresses a sensitive subject.

Vani Kapur equally shines, by far her best performance. The emotions of a transgender and the bond she carries with her father played by Kanwaljeet and she effortlessly surrenders herself into the character. Ayushmann sisters looked irritating but that's what director wanted from them .

Editing is crisp and movie is wrapped up in one hour 57 minutes. Manoj Lobo's camera cheerfully explore chiseled bodies of both the leads . Sachin - Jigar is back with their foot tapping tunes . Normally a movie on a social taboo is preachy at the end but Abhishek kept it simple, that makes it distinct. A must watch, don't wait till it is released on OTT.

#movie2021 #anwarsays #transgenderawareness #transgenderrights #AyushmannKhurrana #vanikapoor #AbhishekKapoor #ChandigarhKareAashiqui #moviereview.

Finally saw this on Netflix.

The movie has a very strong social message and at the same time it is engrossing in an entertaining way.

It has romance, comedy n sports.

It is more difficult to change human behavior than to influence opinions or attitudes and this movie will definitely influence attitudes towards the transgender/transsexual fellas.

Ayushman Khurana gave a believable performance of that a gym instructor (myself being an instructor) but his statement about pimples on chest due to protein shakes or proteins via meat n eggs is totally unscientific.

People do get pimples due to testosterone shots aka steroids but not cos of proteins.

Such a bold attempt for a bollywood movie. It can be called it's ahead of its time. Audience might not digest the concept yet.

May be educational on parts.

I have seen a lot of bakwaas movie lately, this is definitely not one of them.