One-sided love can be the most beautiful and also the most painful. Karan Johar attempted a touching film on this subject last year (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil). Newcomer director Akshay Roy now brings out out Meri Pyaari Bindu that also gives a take on unrequited love. However, it has the ability to stand out thanks to talented lead actors, Kolkata setting, use of old Hindi songs etc. Sadly, the film progresses too quickly and doesn’t allow the viewers to actually empathize with the character.
The story of the movie: Abhimanyu Roy (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Bindu Shankarnarayanan (Parineeti Chopra) are neighbours in Kolkata and also best friends since childhood. Abhimanyu however has been forever in love with Bindu but could never confess his feelings. As time passes, Abhimanyu and Bindu get separated as their life takes them to different cities and even countries. But their bond stays strong. This motivates Abhimanyu even more that she’s the one for him.
Writer Suprotim Sengupta and director Akshay Roy certainly deserve credit for trying to offer audiences something new. The opening scene itself is quite intriguing. The 119 minute long film keeps viewers engaged as there’s no space for boring or dragging moments. Few sequences definitely stand out, be it Abhimanyu and Bindu’s childhood or the Goa sequence and of course, the finale. Several old Hindi classic songs are well woven in the narrative. Despite so many plusses, Meri Pyaari Bindu falters at a lot of places because in the process of telling the story, the makers seem to have rushed through the narrative. As a result, one fails to relate or sympathize with Abhimanyu. Not just Abhimanyu, one fails to connect with Abhimanyu’s buddies or Bindu’s mother, both of which are there in crucial sequences in the film. The climax is definitely different but again it’s not something that will elate the audiences.
Performance wise, all actors have done well. Ayushmann Khurrana has a certain innocence and charm that works big time for this character. He also looks every inch a Bengali writer as he types on a vintage typewriter while smoking occasionally, wearing kurta pyjama. Parineeti Chopra does even better and it’s a pleasure to see her on screen after almost 2 ½ years. Her critics will still be a bit unhappy as she’s not done something drastically different when compared to her earlier films. But pick up any of her performance and one realizes that it’s different from the rest. Meri Pyaari Bindu is no exception. Prakash Belawadi, (Bindu’s father), leaves a mark. The actor gives yet another great performance after Airlift and Talvar. Rajatava Datta (Abhimanyu’s father) and Aparajita Adhya (Abhimanyu’s mother) are fine. Prabal Panjabi and Abish Mathew play Abhimanyu’s buddies and hardly have anything to do.
Sachin-Jigar’s music is lovely but it’s the old Hindi songs, incorporated in the film, that are more memorable. Maana Ke Hum Yaar Nahin is the best song of the lot followed by Ye Jawaani Teri. Background score is in sync with the film’s mood. Tushar Kanti Ray’s cinematography is brilliant. The locales of Kolkata are well captured. Amit Ray, Subrata Chakraborty’s production design gives the film a realistic touch. Shweta Venkat Mathew’s editing is too fast. Suprotim Sengupta, Soumik Sen’s dialogues are simple and witty. Suprotim Sengupta’s story has promise but the screenplay is faulty. It doesn’t allow the characters to grow on viewers. Same goes for Akshay Roy’s direction. He’s definitely talented and can definitely do wonders if he’s provided with the correct script in future!
On the whole, Meri Pyaari Bindu is laced with some fine performances and songs. The use of old Hindi songs and the Kolkata setting gives the film a nice touch. But the love story isn’t very convincing and moves too fast. Hence, viewers will find it difficult to relate with Abhimanyu and his dilemma. Average fare!
My rating – ** ½ out of 5!