Review : Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui : Social subject ‘transformed’ into an entertaining and enjoyable tale!
In today’s world, words, inclusivity and equality, are in vogue, but not in a bad way. Bollywood films too seem to be using them in their narratives. In recent times #Bollywood is turning over a leaf and seen to be backing content driven films. Young directors are seen incorporating social issues in their films. #AbhishekKapoor, director of #ChandigarhKareAashiqui, delves into a taboo subject and presents it an entertaining fashion. Again he has done it in a very subtle and sensitive manner without trying to hurt anyone. He presents an unique love story without any cliched problem in it. As in the post-covid era ‘new-normal’ is the ‘in’ phrase and Abhishek Kapoor instils different ‘new-normal’ in the story. It’s a welcome change for the viewers.
Manvinder Munjal aka Manu (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a body builder and a fitness provider who owns a gymnasium ‘Jatts Flex It Gym’. Every year, he takes part in a local championship G.O.A.T. (Gabru Of All Time) but is elusive of the title. The Gym business is lukewarm so his friends-cum partners let a part of it for Zumba classes. A Zumba instructor is a beautiful and curvaceous Maanvi Brar (Vaani Kapoor) who helps them increase their revenue. As the story progresses the body builder and the Zumba instructor become friends, starts coffee dates and falls in love ending up in bed indulging in a passionate love-making. Importantly the love making, kissing scenes are ‘real’ demand of the script. The Munjal family too is fond of Maanvi they want Manu to get married to her. When Manu proposes to Maanvi she reveals her past which results in them parting ways. Well, the reason is not usual run of the mill but unimaginable for any Bollywood heroine will reveal on screen. The story ‘transforms’ into a drama of different kind because there’s more to Maanvi than the gorgeous woman that she is.
The out of the box storyline is encouraging for Bollywood as it’s a benchmark to handle ‘bold’ subjects with kid gloves. Nothing is over the top in this film except the Chandigarh’s Punjabis. Abhishek Kapoor shows maturity, sensitivity and restraint while dealing with the subject in an entertaining way. The society’s crude and outrageous reactions are out of lack of proper knowledge about the subject. Supratik Sen and Tushar Paranjpe have displayed honesty in their easy flowing screenplay and dialogues. The light humour in the movie helps in digesting the subject easily as the narrative is refreshing. Abhishek reveals the core of the story within first 20 odd minutes and nudges viewers to be ‘inclusive’, in the film as well as the social cause. The music is good and takes the narrative further.
Ayushmann Khurrana nails the character as his physical transformation is fantastic. He looks the part and his body language and the mannerisms are really convincing. Acting wise he is super as always and dishes out an earnest performance. Vanni Kapoor is a revelation. She looks beautiful, gorgeous and sexy and has sunk her teeth into her character from the word go. Her portrayal is relatable and gives a no-holds-barred performance of a bold, brave and unapologetic person who is not ashamed of her past. In fact her performance takes the film a notch higher and Bollywood is definitely going to notice her worth as an actor. Goutam Sharma and Gaurav Sharma (Manu’s twin friends) Anjaan Srivastav (Manu’s grandfather) Kanwaljit (Maanvi’s father) Tanya Abrol and Sawan Rupowali (Manu’s sisters) lend good support to the main cast. The one additional star is for the concept and sending out a message of inclusivity.
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui breaks the shackles of stereotypes and entertains with a ‘transforming’ love story.
Rating: ****