Parivarik ManuRanjan is a romantic comedy built around an unusual pairing of Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari. Set largely in a sprawling haveli in Lucknow, the film tells a simple, old-fashioned love story between two unlikely people. It has its heart in the right place, even if its storytelling doesn’t always have the spark to keep things interesting.
Ranjan Dubey (Pankaj Tripathi) is a middle-aged man working in the Electricity Board in Lucknow. Having taken responsibility for getting his three sisters married, he has put his own personal life on the backseat. He longs for a companion but hasn’t found anyone he considers compatible. His quiet, predictable existence takes an unexpected turn when Helen (Aditi Rao Hydari) arrives at his house as the new housekeeper. Attraction develops gradually between the two, much to the disapproval of his relatives and his best friend, colleague and neighbour Rajaram (Brijendra Kala). Rajaram suspects Helen is part of a gang out to fleece his friend. As it turns out, Helen does have a secret, and learning about it brings Ranjan even closer to her.
The romance is the film’s strongest aspect. It is a slow-burning affair that develops more through circumstances than any deliberate attempt at courtship. There is an age gap between the protagonists, but the film doesn’t make an issue of it. Instead, it focuses on the emotional connection between two people who have found something they were missing in each other’s company. Ranjan wants Helen to stand up for herself and treats her with dignity. It is this sense of respect and security that eventually wins her over. Their relationship has an old-school charm that is refreshing in a genre often dependent on instant attraction and predictable romantic gestures.
The film is largely a two-character drama, with the haveli providing an intimate setting for their interactions. The supporting characters, however, give the story a recognisable social setting. Ranjan’s three married sisters and their husbands feel very much at home in this milieu. Their concerns may seem petty and small-minded, but they have a ring of truth to them. Their reactions to Ranjan’s relationship with Helen are exactly what one would expect in a similar family situation. They are less concerned about his happiness than about how the relationship might affect the family. Their behaviour may not be particularly progressive, but it lends the story a degree of realism.
Rajaram is another source of amusement. His suspicion of Helen and his conviction that she is part of a gang out to rob his friend provide some of the film’s lighter moments. In the end, he proves to be a friend who comes true in the hour of need, despite his reservations. Sunita Rajwar, who plays his wife, adds another layer of humour. She is perpetually busy making reels and keeping tabs on everyone else’s affairs. The neighbourhood gossip, she is as interested in what is happening inside Ranjan’s house as she is in getting the perfect shot for social media. Mukesh Tiwari tries to rise above being the stock villain.
Unfortunately, the film begins to flatten out midway. The conflict isn’t as engaging as the setup promises, and the narrative could have done with a few more interesting turns. Even the climax feels rather tame. Ranjan chooses to reason with and reform the villain through a lecture rather than resorting to violence. It is an anti-alpha moment, certainly, and perhaps an appropriate one in the land of Gandhi. But the approach also takes away some of the dramatic tension one expects from a climax.
Pankaj Tripathi is brilliant as usual. He plays Ranjan as a straight-talking, morally upright man who believes in doing the right thing and expects the same from everyone around him. There is an inherent decency to his character, and Tripathi brings warmth and humour to a man who finds love relatively late in life. Aditi Rao Hydari is equally good, handling both Helen and Manu with ease. She has a lovely screen presence, and her comic timing is particularly effective. The chemistry between the two actors is the soul of the film. Their exchanges are often more entertaining than the situations they find themselves in.
Parivarik ManuRanjan is an earnest attempt at telling a gentle love story without resorting to unnecessary melodrama. It celebrates companionship, kindness and the idea that love can arrive at any age. The film could have used a tighter screenplay and a stronger conflict, but its lead actors make the journey worthwhile. It may not be particularly exciting, but it is pleasant company. The film is currently streaming on SonyLiv.
Also Read: Pankaj Tripathi And Aditi Rao Hydari Share Screen For The First Time In Parivarik ManuRanjan
