ATRANGI RE
Producers: Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Aanand L Rai & Himanshu Sharma.
Director: Aanand L. Rai
Starring: Dhanush, Sara Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar
Written by: Himanshu Sharma
Music: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Irshad Kamil
ATRANGI RE is a unique love story. Rinku Suryavanshi (Sara Ali Khan) resides in Siwan, Bihar with her extended family, as her parents have passed away. She is in love with a mysterious Sajjad (Akshay Kumar) and has tried eloping several times. When her latest attempt fails, her grandmother gets fed up with her. She tells her family to get her married as soon as possible and the man should preferably be from outside of Bihar. Her family members spot Vishu (Dhanush) in their town. He’s a medical student who has come to Siwan for a camp. He already has a fiancé waiting back home, but he is abducted by Rinku’s family and is forcibly married to Rinku. The very next day they are in a train to Delhi, where Rinku tells him that she is already in love and will be on her merry way when she reaches Delhi. Vishu is relieved as even he doesn’t want to be in a forced marriage. Due to some circumstances Rinku joins with Vishu to go to Madurai for his engagement.The engagement is then successful, but then Mandakini aka Mandy (Dimple Hayati), Vishu’s fiancé finds a video of Vishu and Rinku’s wedding. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
ATRANGI RE’s title can be understood after watching the film as the concept/plot of it is quite Atrangi. The film explores unventured waters in Indian cinema and treads lightly, while doing so. At the same time, the makers tell you what you are in for by the time you reach the interval point, (spoiler – It is a bit shocking reveal). While, what they wanted to show may have been something else, it actually comes across as something that is drastically different than their intention, and not a lot of people will be able to get that. Having said that, the film is light and is set in a typical Aanand L Rai setting. It is fun and it has its moments and it is entertaining.
Technically, the film is good. Pankaj Kumar’s cinematography is fantastic. Hemal Kothari’s editing could have been slicker. There are a few loose moments which could have used a better cut. The music by A. R. Rahman is one of the strong points of the film. This film has an unique album, which is something that we’ve gotten after quite a long time. Rahman’s background score is equally impressive. The production design is good and the costumes are appealing. The writers have walked on a tightrope with this one but at the end of the day they get away with it because of the entertainment value and the cast performances.
Performance wise the film is great. Sara Ali Khan gives a superb performance and at the same time she is endearing to watch on the screen. This is an unconventional film and an unconventional role for her and she pulls it off well. Dhanush is brilliant as expected. You put him in any role and in any situation and guaranteed he will deliver in a phenomenal way. Akshay Kumar is in the supporting part but he plays a very important role and he is impressive as always. The rest of the cast offer good support.
Director Aanand L. Rai takes this unconventional story and builds his universe around it and manages to deliver an entertaining film.