Film Review: 'Shuddh Desi Romance' is refreshing, breezy and engaging

Film: Shuddh Desi Romance
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor , Rishi Kapoor
Director: Maneesh Sharma
Rating: ***

What’s it about
There is a lot of running around that happens throughout Shuddh Desi Romance. As Rishi Kapoor’s character suggests, there is a need to take a poignant pause before fatigue sets in. 

A story about three characters — Raghu (Sushant), Gayatri (Parineeti) and Tara (Vaani) who fall in and out of love, chase each other, cross paths at the oddest times — the film has a raw appeal to it.

Set in Jaipur, we often relate to the situations and emotions the characters go through. Be it the first pangs of love, the cold sweat before walking up to the mandap, or that strange feeling of being desired by your ex even after a break up, most of the scenes seem real. SDR is extremely mushy yet stark and brutal in the same vein.

What’s hot
Jaideep Sahni’s writing is superb. He makes even the regular exchanges between characters seem interesting. Here he has the delight of working with an ensemble that’s so fresh and full of spunk.

Sushant is in his element, and thankfully doesn’t try to ape Ranveer Singh, given the tone of the character. He is funny and extremely likeable in his scenes with Parineeti whose super casual and cool approach to playing Gayatri is so refreshing.

So, her lighting up a cigarette or squatting on the floor uninhibitedly never feels forced or a trick. Vaani’s character is the weakest among the three, but she manages to give a convincing performance. Her scene with Sushant perched atop the hill in the second half shows her efficiency as a performer.

What’s not
In the second half, the pace plays the spoilsport. Also conversations seem a bit lengthy and stretched. Vaani’s sudden exit and the logic leading to it after she speaks to Parineeti seems too rushed.

The moments where the characters speak their thoughts out aloud to the camera don’t work. The curse of the second half takes the fun away from the light and frothy first. The bathroom episodes get a bit repetitive, especially during the wedding scene leading to the climax.

What to do
Refreshing, light, breezy and engaging, SDR will appeal to those who want a realistic take on love and is miles away from the usual patented formula.