Qarib Qarib Singlle Hindi film review - A jolly-good rom-com this...!

Movie poster image source & credit: Wikipedia

It is increasingly gratifying to see great actors perform, as we have seen in the last two weeks. First Akshaye in Ittefaq, and now Irrfan in Qarib Qarib Singlle.

Very few actors, like Irrfan, can bring life to a role, and beautifully, each time. He mesmerises.

The tale is something that has been touched upon, in the past - middle-aged singles trying to find companionship and togetherness again in their lives. Jaya is a widow who hasn't dated anyone for over two years. Coaxed by her friend to get back to some action, she meets Yogi through an online dating site. As they start meeting and talking with each other, she taunts him to meet his exes. And thus, they set out on a trip towards the North and the North-Eastern parts of India, and in the process, bond.

Now this could have gotten melodramatic, or erratic. But director Tanuja Chandra's novelty on an already touched-upon subject - and the lead-actors' terrific performances - make the film more than watchable. Easily!

Parvathy Thiruvothu is a marvellous announcement; pretty much in the Pednekar mould. She almost single-handedly carries the film on her shoulders and the director found the perfect female-lead to bring her story to life. She plays Jaya Sasidharan and is moody, unpredictable, complex, needy, opportunistic, confused... and how she pulls it off! I particularly enjoyed her character acclimatisation in the first 15 minutes.

This is India's own Eat Pray Love; a story of trying to realize love and finding a partner. Thoroughly enjoyed the rom-com.

The locations are splendid - and the camera work is pleasing. Special mention for the music, too. It's a great mix of both a contemporary and retro feel to it.

Gazal Dhaliwal is the third hero in the film, for he has written some very well and funny dialogues that form the backbone of the film. What makes them even more special is the mastery and uniqueness with which Irrfan delivers them.

What I liked best about Irrfan's character is his non-possessiveness. Love, and let live. He gets along with his exes pretty well.

I also was tickled by the small but important nuances that the helmer Tanuja Chandra takes care of -

• like how she chose not to stretch Yogi's visit of his 3rd ex, and keeps it short and sweet. (Notice Irrfan's expressions that clearly demonstrates how actors don't have to speak to prove their abilities, or make a scene effective.)
• or how she has Parvathy conversing with the camera, from time to time. Never once does it feel out of place
• oh, and the web-pages in the film are aesthetic and impressive! Good to see that for an IT professional, when a director pays attention to such things. :)

I fail to understand one thing though. They spend so much money on a film. And yet, why do they still have the car stationary and use a projector screen - with moving traffic and scenery - to make it look like the car was moving. Too amateurish, especially in this day and age! I saw that even in Secret Superstar and Ittefaq. Irritating! They could easily put the chroma key compositing or chroma keying technique to great use.

My verdict: 3.75 out of 5. Irrfan more than nails it, and we are really fortunate to watch such amazing performances. Dunno what's with him and travel movies, but my two most favourite characters are this one and Rana Choudhary in Piku. Dono dil ke bahut saaf hain (Both are pure at heart).