A stale tale

Quite frankly, the title of this film would have worked better if it was named ‘Meri Friend, Meri Dulhan’ or on such similar lines. The reason is not that there is no food or drink in the film to justify the existing one— ‘Wedding Pullav’ which of course, given the Punjabi ambience, just overflows… So, its a routine plot of a friend actually turning out to be the lover and its realisation by the lead pair as the film unfolds. It would have still been an excusable thing had it been given a zippy and watchable treatment.
What is definitely a loud no is wasting a good beginning to the film and crash landing it in a morass of melodrama and copious tears. There are three debutantes in the film, beginning with director Binod Pradhan, a noted cinematographer who wields the megaphone this time. Then the lead pair, Anushka Ranjan, a lanky Juhi Chawla look-alike who shows promise and Diganth Manchale, a Kannada star. One more actress, Sonnalli Seygall, who also featured in the other release of the week ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2’, is also seen in a weepy, clingy role of a rejected bride.

What is not new is the story, which reminds the viewer of so many such films which they must have seen since emotional melodramas between young couples began as a trend in Hindi cinema, a good 50 years ago! The environment in which the two-hour plus film is showcased too has been done to death—loud, boisterous Punjabi crowd who do nothing different from what they do in every film they are shown-drink, dance and show contrived affection, be it male or female.

Despite all these predictable assemblage of people and paraphernalia, the cooking process of the ‘Wedding Pullav’, surprisingly takes off well and sustains a good pace till the first half, as two couples with their relatives get ready to tie the knot. What could have been a haunting, heart-tugging condition of sorts— that is, the hero falling for his friend instead of the girl to whom he is engaged— peters out in an old-fashioned, hackneyed manner with background songs and teary faces! Here is where, the routine ingredients mar the aroma of the Pullav and make it a disappointing, all-is-well-that-ends-well stuff.

Anushka, one of the two actresses in the film earnestly justifies the faith the producers have reposed in her and carries her role with a svelte nonchalance. Diganth is hamstrung with his role, a yearning lover boy who is stuck between a lovey-dovey bride-to-be and a friend with whom he has seen good times. The silver lining to the film is the classy casualness of the seasoned actor, Rishi Kapoor, who plays the boss of the hotel where all the action pans out in Bangkok. The effortlessness of his performance and on-screen presence makes it a treat even as the younger lot go through the motions in a routine sort of a film.

Wedding Pullav
Cast : Diganth Manchale, Anushka Ranjan, Sonnalli Seygall, Karan Grover and Rishi Kapoor
Direction : Binod Pradhan
Genre : Romance- drama
: Anushka, a mix of class and visual appeal
: Clichéd script and treatment
Rating : **

By K Naresh Kumar