Plot Summary – Rumi and Vicky, who are in love, are caught by Rumi’s family and pressurised to get married. However, when Vicky refuses to commit, a marriage broker brings in Robbie as a prospective suitor.

Language – Hindi

Where to Watch – Eros NOW or available to rent in HD on YouTube (both with English subs)

★★★★★ 

Watched on 11 Jun 2021

This is surprisingly my first Anurag Kashyap film and I have to say that I was absolutely floored by how good this was. For a Hindi film to completely win me over as this did, is a high task and Manmarziyaan excelled with flying colours. Where do I start with this film? The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous as you get this incredible colour palette that the film uses. Bright neon colours to display the moments of youth and immaturity, faded calm pastel colours to show the depth of maturity and age. The film tackles the theme of duality and being split throughout with its recurring mysterious twins and its central love triangle. Just like our protagonist, Rumi, the audience is split morally throughout the film. I found myself changing sides throughout the film and I think that’s something that should be credited to Kanika Dhillon in her screenplay. The entire film is a shade of grey as everyone is equally right and wrong at different points in the film with the way they behave. Kashyap, who is generally a director of crime dramas or action thrillers, helms this romance just like an intense thriller as the love story (stories?) are so gripping that you’re just completely absorbed by the atmosphere and themes of the film. It’s such an intense drama with so many different moral layers. I CANNOT talk about this film without mentioning the performances. Vicky Kaushal and Tapsee Pannu are absolutely brilliant in their roles and the way that you forget that they are actors is simply amazing. But the standout role in this film, the one that transformed it from a good watch to an all-time favourite for me is Abhishek Bachchan. He gives the performance of his career as he completely transforms into Robbie. Everything about his performance grabs your attention and you hold on for dear life because GOD, is this a spectacular performance. Physically, his presence in each scene is felt and every line he says is with such gravitas that I was just completely overwhelmed by how good he was. The soundtrack was also so fun and it matched each scene perfectly even if it was overindulgent at times. This film has become one of my all-time favourite Indian films and I had an AMAZING time with it! Please please check out Manmarziyaan.