Sameer Vidwans’ romantic comedy “Tu meri..”, drifts aimlessly in a predictable and uneven opening half but surprisingly develops some layers after the interval, largely because of great acting by Ananya Panday, Kartik Aaryan, Jackie Shroff, and Neena Gupta.
“Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri” begins as a quite light and airy romance and absorbs attention. But to be frank, such a light romance is hard to discern in the initial parts. This part of the film is quite a flip, and the initial parts appear to be a series of common romance film incidents rather than a regular film. The audience is presented with a treat in the form of a variety of Croatian settings such as Split and Hvar, but the travel journal-like part of the film seems to be dominating the story itself.
But then, to everyone’s surprise, “Tu meri..” it suddenly takes a drastic turn in the second half, venturing into family drama genres to have an emotional setup that saves it from the tedium of storytelling. It shows portions that involve obligation, parent-child love, or inter-generational conflicts, giving it an extreme transition from the light mood in the first half. This extreme transition, although shocking, does not always have a smooth effect. Certain comedic parts are still confusing with regard to mixing adequate comedic flair with awkward choppiness, but then it has an interesting twist that casts doubt on conventional Indian wedding traditions.
The movie “Tu meri..”is produced under Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures, helmed by Sameer Vidwans, known for Satyaprem Ki Katha, interweaving the conflict between apno and sapnon through a romantic cinema frame inspired by contemporary society’s hookup culture. There is a Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge inspired feel for today’s youth who are caught up between conventional values and modern longings. The story comes together when these two elements converge, as a romantic fantasy and an exploration of individual choices are being made.
Also a plus are the performances on display. Ananya Panday as Rumi Vardhan Singh brings vivaciousness and a spark to the role despite the inconsistencies in the script. Her character persona—a Gen Z girl belonging to ex-Indian Army Colonel Amar Vardhan Singh (Jackie Shroff) and Neena Gupta’s daughter—brims with inconsistencies. For example, a feminist and a seeker of freedom in Rumi who is averse to the confident but passionate Ray (Kartik Aaryan) has so many inconsistencies in her character. Yet, Panday performs with grace in a character endowed with so many flaws.
Kartik Aaryan’s character, Ray, the charismatic young man with the confident swagger, pairs quite well with Panday, though the performances are occasionally sabotaged by the plot’s inconsistencies. The romantic development in the story that takes place over the course of a ten-day trip to Croatia veers between something real and something superficial, making the viewer invest in the couple despite the plot loopholes.
The plot thickens with Rumi’s return to Agra, caught between family responsibilities and new-found love. Her father’s illness and her sister’s forthcoming marriage muddy the waters, and she is faced with self-sacrifice. Ray and his mother Pinky Gupta enter the fray to shape events, and there is a conflict of sorts between autonomy, love, and family commitments.
The second half of this Bollywood rom-com culminates at Sangeet, a party with retro Bollywood songs and outrageous celebrations. Though “Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri” is not consistent in many places, featuring elements like shallowness and convenience, it does get into its grooves. It not only balances the romancing portion with the dramatic aspect in the movie but does it effectively in the different parts that the story gets divided into.
Though not an extraordinary piece, it provides quite an interesting outing for viewers to look at over the festival season, reminding them that love and families can coexist. Essentially, the movie is much like its title: a mouthful, somewhat awkward, but just comprehensible enough to work in a romantic, comedic, and serious kind of way.
