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Game point; simple and fun

Why are we so sanctimonious about marriage? A country no stranger to divine love of Radha and Krishna ought to be more open and not more regressive in 21st century.

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Nonika Singh

Why are we so sanctimonious about marriage? A country no stranger to divine love of Radha and Krishna ought to be more open and not more regressive in 21st century. In case you are looking for a subtext and a message, well here it is, in a movie that makes no pretensions to be anything more than it is.

Luka Chuppi, like the children’s game of hide and seek is fun and frolic and doesn’t keep you in the dark for too long. Amusing for most parts with a dash of romance, it takes forward its basic premise of live-in-relationship. From scene one we are introduced to the thorny subject which as things exist, does not find social sanction, especially in the hinterland where culture vultures are all over to guard our exalted cultural values. Guddu Shukla (Kartik Aaryan endearing as always) small time reporter of cable TV channel in Mathura is asked to explore the thorny issue in small towns of his state. In walks independent minded and lovely looking daughter Rashmi (Kriti Sanon) of local neta (Vinay Pathak), the custodian of Bhartiya sabhayata.

And haath kangan ko aarsi kya, life imitates news, becomes them and they decide to test the forbidden waters for themselves. But not tying the knot in India can land you in many more knots. How, the much in love couple find themselves in a mess of their and more of others’ making; the situational comedy does bring the house down at more than one occasion. With ample help from competent actors Aparshakti Khurana, Pathak and of course Pankaj Tripathi as the mischief maker Babulal, the film races to the half way mark.

Lesser actor in a caricaturised role, which Tripathi plays attired in garish red and orange pants, oversized glares to match the over the top look would have been laughable. But trust Tripathi with impeccable comic timing and pitch perfect mannerisms to bring in the laughs. Indeed, laughs come aplenty some not so socially correct as well. Sure the film is not devoid of a few contrivances either. Why can’t the lead pair, both educated partners, instead of running around in circles opt for a court marriage? Besides, at one point the film does make you wonder and ponder about how valid really is institutionalisation of relationship. But then it lets the thought only simmer and leaves it at that. 

Sure the film deals with several issues of jaat paat, dharma and new social mores, however, the idea is to keep it light and frothy. Caste, religion and other significant issues raise their head but are dealt with in broad even sweeping strokes. Nevertheless Aparshakti’s character of Abbas says it all with just one-liner, ‘Doosre greh se nahi aaya hoon, sirf Musalmaan hoon…’ Certainly, the narrative avoids the rough edges, the real tension, there is no sociological vishlashan of live-in.

Handled simply, simplistically if you are too much into nit picking, but make no mistake, it makes its point. ‘Gender ki baat nahi’, says our hero in perpetual state of bafflement, courtesy his circumstances. But gender does seem to be the director’s concern. Enjoyable fare; if you don’t take your cinema too seriously, it is just the weekend outing that will de-stress your frayed nerves. The lead pair (both in competent form) makes it even easier on the eye.

nonikasingh@tribunemail.com

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