Bangalore Days

The stories of the silver screen and fairy tales make us believe that it is worthwhile to grasp that one chance at love. They convince us that it the single most crucial fight that one has to win. Overcoming that would translate to eternal bliss. It is happiness afterwards, forever and ever. Err... wrong answer.

In a very entertaining way, combining the scenic backgrounds of Kerala and Bangaluru, as well as the pleasing youthful features of the good looking actors, the story tries to tell us in a subtle way that it is not all hunky-dory when and especially after one finds love. It is an eternal struggle to keep the flames alive. Even if the ember stays aglow, there are too many interferences that threatened its harmony. In modern living, with the relaxation of rigid social restrictions that used to prevail and the scream of empowerment, no one can be pinned down anymore. Everybody is free to do what he (or she) wants. Is that daring to be different, to empower oneself, defiance to status or plain lazy to uphold the age-old agreed norms that rock the whole fabric of marital bliss? Or is it that the desire to defend the holy institution of marriage that makes one overlook or tolerate the many imperfections of the other?

The story revolves around three cousins (Kuttan, Arjun and Divya) who are close as thick as thieves sharing an unforgettable childhood and the same sense of humour.

Arjun, a son of an army man, went wayward after his parents divorced. We get the sense that he attributes his failure in life to his parents' separation. From a top student, he ended up being a dirt-bike racer and an occasional mechanic. His love interest turns out to be wheelchair-bound paraplegic. The positive thing about the film is the paraplegic character actually had a positive. Unlike a typical India movie where a far from 'perfect' person will usually sacrifice her life, here she is paved the way for a possible happy experience.

Happy forever and ever?

Kuttan is a goody-two-shoes who followed all the pointers given by his parents and is a software engineer. One day, Kuttan's father disappeared from their home. He left a note citing his desire to find peace and purpose in life. A subsequent letter clarifies that he actually must be enjoying himself in the laid back beaches of Goa, away from the smothering of his wife, Kuttan's mother. Kuttan also realises that his mother, though meaning well, could be quite a pain in the neck when she moved in with him.

Meanwhile, Kuttan is also finding love, naively thinking that a nice traditional Kerala girl would be ideal. His first love, a stewardess, proved disappointing. She used him to get back to her ex-boyfriend!

Divya, the only female of the trio, undergoes an arranged marriage to Shiva. After the wedding, Shiva and Divya move to Bangalore. By a twist of fate, her cousins land up in Bangalore. Divya soon discovers that her husband is far from intimate. Their marriage goes through a tailspin. Soon it is found that Shiva keeps a dark secret from his past.

The rest of the story is in trying to tie up everybody's life to a resolution and a happy ending. Inserted subtly into scenes are cryptic messages which tend to answer itself. One visible message is how Indians tend to parrot Western's way of dressing and embracing their culture while the Westerners look highly at the Indian way of living and cannot wait to immerse into them.

At the end of the film, Kuttan, who was looking out for a typical Bharat Natyam dancing Malayalee with long pleats for matrimony, found one in Michelle, a Caucasian girl fitting the above description!

Bangalore days is full of life. The movie talks about the tale of three cousins who travel to Bangalore in the pursuit of chasing their dreams.

The story revolves around the journeys of these three twenty- somethings and how each one of them cops up in accordance to the twists and turns in their individual lives. Because it consists of a prestigious star cast, the expectation bar among the viewers regarding the flick was too high. And let me tell you, it is unmitigatedly worth the hype! The film is incorporated with appreciable transitions, commendable drollery, a congenial run time of 170 minutes and one of the most pleasurable story lines. All these factors bolstered by exquisite performances add to the film's charm fashioning it into a complete package.

Kudos to the person who took the task of assembling such an effulgent movie troupe. Nivin Pauly, as one of the three main leads, was as natural as he could have been. Also, the way he narrates their journey diversifies the script making it even more delectable. Nazriya, as the main female lead is creditable. She is much blessed with the skill of exhibiting emotional scenes and is bound to get better with age. Out of the three leads, Dulquer Salman's portrayal was paramount. Enacting the character of a rowdy biker driven by complex emotions is not a piece of cake, but Salman has hit the spot effortlessly. Fahadh Fasil has been the cream of the crop while enacting his part that of an angry young husband, his performance was just simply flawless! Parvathy Menon as RJ Sarah was like a cherry on the top, she definitely managed to make an impression. Other minor roles played by Isha Talwar and Kalpana were mediocre as well.

Anjali Menon has unambiguously managed to make a hit with her 2nd major directorial venture. Also, a distinguished and wondrous screenplay leaves you mesmerized. Editing and Cinematography departments have definitely aced at their respective jobs. All the locations from Kerala and Bangalore have been impeccably put on the big screen. Music and other background scores by Gopi Sunder too were very much above average.

Summarizing everything, Bangalore days is a perfect blend of meritorious drama, affable romance and rollicking comicality. Lovely is the word for it! People who take pleasure in watching jolly youth dramas and love stories will surely fall in love with this one.

Bangalore Days opens with a narrative style of Navin Pouli - the story is about 3 cousins and their different temperaments and lives.Though each personality is very different from one other, their bond which is portrayed through an excellent screenplay is what makes the film special. In these days where own families do not support each other when things get tough, this movie portrays how these 3 cousins stay together through thick and thin.

Coming to the characters: Divya/Nazriya - Resilient, sharp witted and independent in the true sense; is exceptional. Her portrayal of how a modern Indian woman is expected to conform is spot on but her free spirit is destined to do much more.

Kutta/Navin - The quintessential small town software engineer, who wants to explore new places, earn money but finally wants a homely girl who will cook for him and serve him.

Arjun/Dilquer - The romeo, the free spirit who doesn't care for rules or perceptions. Extremely impulsive, he does what his heart tells him to do. This character is the glue in the 3 lives, and brings the whole story to life.

Finally, Mr. Das/Fahd - the brooding/depressed/chauvinistic husband who is actually not any of the above but his past has made him who he is today. Well portrayed by Fahd.

The RJ and short appearance by Menon along with all the supporting family members add to the chutzpah of the movie. This movie will make you laugh and cry.

Go watch it, its 3 hours long but you would never look at your watch once and its worth every penny. I give it a 7.5 as some of the sequences could have been more real.

I've watched so many films but this movie is quite different and unique.

Amazing writing, Direction, Cinematography and wonderful acting no doubt.

This is the quality of an Indian cinema and everyone should watch this movie once.

Everything is so good, emotional and mesmerizing.

I do not know Malayalam language but didn't feel a language barrier for a single moment.

Must watch movie

Kudos to the whole team of this movie.

Hi, I'm from Tamilnadu (Tamilian). I can very much speak & understand Malayalam. One thing I want to highlight a point is that Malayalam Film industry especially in the past one decade has gone to the height of World classics... Anjali Menon's contribution to Malayalam Film industry is one of the remarkable count. Yes, she does it again with Bangalore Days... Kudos to her. I have seen this Movie, yesterday at Chennai. Very pleasant & enjoyable ride.... All the actors did their best. Especially, Fahad Fazil,Dulquar Salman,Nivin Pauly & cute smiling angel Nazriya does their roles perfectly. Once again, Anjali keep rocking. I love to watch all your future movies .... Rgds, Hari. (Your Tamilian Fan from Chennai).