Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Nithya Menen, Prakash Raj, Leela Samson & Others
Banner: Madras Talkies
Director: Mani Ratnam
Cinematographer: PC Sreeram
Editor: Sreekar Prasad
Music Director: AR Rahman
Tagline: Ok Bangaram is OKAY
Avg User Rating: 3.25/5
Plot:
Aadi (Dulquer Salmaan) is a professional gamer who shifts from Hyderabad to Mumbai and resides as paying guest in the house of elderly couple Mr Ganapathi (Prakash Raj) and Bhavani (Leela Samson). On the other hand, Tara (Nithya Menen), an architect by profession who wishes to go Paris for higher studies. They fall for each other in a wedding and eventually start living together. While Aadi is afraid of giving a commitment, Tara has no belief in the institution of marriage. Despite the differences in respective family backgrounds, their relationship sails away until one day when Aadi is missing when Tara is back from a professional trip. What happened to Aadi and what happened to their love story forms the plot of their love story.
Performances:
Dulquar & Nithya Menen: This is one of the most sizzling pairs you'll get to see in recent times. Their brilliant chemistry in the film is the key asset.
Prakash Raj & Leela Samson: Their track was elegant enough and adds value to this lovestory.
While the rest of the cast played their part, you'll get to see more of Dulquer and Nithya's show in the movie.
Direction:
The maverick Mani Ratnam who is believed to be a master at making just not love stories but classics is again back with yet another cute and contemporary love story. With a sizzling chemistry between the lead pair (Dulquer & Nithya) and their chirpy romance, Mani Ratnam does remind you of the good old days of Sakhi. The story travels on its own pace with Mani Ratnam mark conversations and gets intriguing enough to keep us waiting for the second half. The first half that promised you so much and kept you overloaded with expectations, somehow, faltered to finish off things in a dramatic style which leaves a pinch of dissatisfaction for common audience.
This is an urbane love story we have been watching from years together yet Mani Ratnam keeps it cool, cozy without dramatizing it too much. Yes Mani Ratnam’s narration did have its loose ends, especially in the second half that could not be convincing enough to relish. In a way, Ok Bangaram is an old wine in a new bottle with urbane characterizations, predictable plot, conventional happy ending but the Mani Ratnam mark cute conversations, refreshing music and visually pleasing narration makes it a good one-time watch. As he (Mani Ratnam) said in his recent interview, this film remains to be a contemporary take on the relationships of this generation but Mani Ratnam sticks to the roots in terms of concept, content and narration as well. But all the fan folks will be happy to see Mani Ratnam mark conversations in the churches, ‘Nagila Nagila’ type romance in single rooms, Zipsy rides the beaches and discotheque dances and above all a cute romance.
First Half: The film starts with an interesting gaming animation and slowly sets in the lap of Mumbai with the lead pair following Mani Ratnam style ‘come-fall in love-roam around’. Dulquer & Nithya mesmerize you with their endearing chemistry.
Interval Bang: The pre-interval episode gets interesting enough to keep us waiting for the second half.
Second Half: This segment that starts on a promising note get intense further and wavers in the last 15mins.
Merits:
- The performance of Dulquer, Nithya, Prakash Raj and Leela Samson, especially the lead pair chemistry.
- Cute dialogues.
- ARR’s Music and background score.
- Top-notch Cinematography and Editing.
De-merits:
- The overall sluggish narration might not go well with the masses.
- The lack of dramatic narration might add to the disadvantage of the movie.
Music:
AR Rahman's contemporary and foot tapping music and his unconventional background score is very refreshing.
Others:
Cinematography by PC Sreeraam & Editing by Sreekar Prasad were top notch. And the gaming animation both in the opening and end credits were impressive. It added a contemporary touch to the film.
Verdict:
Ok Bangaram is a one time watch contemporary love story rather with the Mani Ratnam mark. All Mani Ratnam fans ca watch it to see him making a comeback and others can watch it for Dulquer & Nithya.
Disclaimer: Erase off Sakhi to enjoy the film