Tanu Weds Manu Returns
Year: 2015
Director: Aanand L. Rai
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, R. Madhavan, Jimmy Shergill, Deepak Dobriyal

In 2011, Tanu Weds Manu became a sleeper hit. This film about an unlikely romance between a staid NRI doctor and a wild desi girl had enough wacky humor to overcome a slightly predictable storyline. The director Aanand Rai delivered one more memorable hit Raanjhna (2013) before deciding to come up with a sequel for his first film. So Tanu Weds Manu Returns now arrives in theaters and if early response is any indicator then it is all set to become a blockbuster.

What’s the plot?

4 years have passed since Tanu (Kangna Ranaut) and Manu (R. Madhavan) got married and settled in London. The early romance has waned off. The marriage is on the rocks. A disenchanted Tanu walks out of home and heads off to her family in Kanpur. With a new admirer (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub) in tow, she tries rekindling the wild spirit that defined her; revisiting her old boyfriends, including the one (Jimmy Shergill) whom she ditched at the altar. Meanwhile Manu, the simpleton hubby has also returned to India, hoping to get his errant wife back. But when a new girl, who is almost a splitting image of Tanu, walks into Manu’s life and heart, a series of unexpected complications is about to turn the story on its head! With marriages crumbling all around, who will bed (sorry, I mean ‘wed’!) whom?

What’s hot?

·        A hilarious opening sequence sets the tone for a rollercoaster ride of relationships between old and new characters. Barring a few transient tolerable ‘emosional’ bits, the film maintains its fun quotient intact.

·        Himanshu Sharma’s writing and Anand L. Rai’s direction manage to seamlessly integrate the original film’s characters into the new plot. They succeed in creating an enjoyable frothy narrative full of interesting twists and turns.

·        A variety of authentic North Indian settings and lingos adds flavor.

·        Quite a few catchy songs. (I particularly liked ‘Move On’, ‘I might be sentimental’ and ‘Banno Teri Swagger’).

·        Madhavan once again lends a ring of sincerity to his portrayal of a confused lover.

·        Jimmy Shergill, who had an important role in the original film, only has a limited scope this time around but Deepak Dobriyal is brilliant in his reprised role as Tanu’s crazy sidekick Pappi.

·        The seasoned supportive cast proves a perfect foil and the new addition Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub leaves his mark.

·        What really makes this film eminently watchable is its leading lady—oops, leading ladies! Kangana Ranaut once again proves Queen-esque, in fact doubly better. If her original wildfire Tanu cracks you up from the beginning, then her new avatar Datto, a Haryanvi State-level athlete is nothing short of amazing. With subtle body language and a superb command on dialects (rather than any major difference in the appearance!), Kangana manages to give a distinct identity to the two women she portrays.

What’s not?

·        After a racy first half, the film stutters in the second half.

·        The plot has many holes in logic and continuity. Many characters and plot-tracks are left hanging.

·        Most of the second half songs are a drag.

Verdict

Tanu Weds Manu Returns is Kangana Ranaut’s triumphant proclamation that she is now the Bollywood’s latest No.1 heroine. The actress, fresh from her National Award winning success, is currently enjoying the best streak of her career. Her arresting performance coupled with a lot of other positives turns this film into a perfect big screen family entertainer. Watch it.This sequel is better than the original!

Rating

3.5 stars