Even a hackneyed plot can look fresh when new ideas are infused. ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ manages to keep you interested despite your questioning of the basic logic of why the guy is behind this girl. With interesting characters, whiplash dialogues and an improbable context, the film entertains and in doing so, exceeds your expectations.
The plot revolves around an NRI from UK, Manu Sharma, a loner whose parents want him to get married as soon as possible. His bride quest takes him to the house of Tanu Trivedi who is unable to meet him because she is hung-over after the previous night’s excesses. He takes one look at the sleeping beauty in her room and decides to marry her, only to find out that she doesn’t want to. He tries to move on, but is unable to forget her. He meets her again at a friend’s wedding and decides to make another attempt at wooing her, but discovers that she has a man in her life and has decided to elope with him. Whether he is able to net the elusive and reluctant girl or not is what the film explores.
Himanshu Sharma’s story is weak in its structure, simply because it fails to convince the audience on Manu’s obsession with Tanu, a girl who is not interested in him. That apart, he creates numerous sequences that have you in splits, notably a Vaishno Devi climb, where Manu discusses Tanu’s refusal to marry him with his friend, a ride from the compound gate to the house on horses because it is the thing in that family, to name a few. The dialogues are crisp and stinging and have a very earthy feel to them. Anand Rai’s direction does not build up momentum in the second half. The viewer is left wondering why the guy is pursuing the girl. The climax has an interesting faceoff of two bridal parties but is predictable.
Madhavan’s performance is restrained as he slips into the role of a soft and silent white collared professional effortlessly. He handles the odd emotional scene convincingly. Kangana Ranaut is a serious acting talent and she is showing her ability to perform a variety of roles with equal ease. She needs to work on her diction however. Deepak Dobriyal as Manu’s sidekick is very impressive in a multihued role.
‘Tanu Weds Manu’ is a light film if you are in the mood for easy time pass.