In the happening year of 1977 post the Emergency, a relatively small film released among the big blockbusters receiving apprecation. The film thoughtfully pointed towards the problem of urbanization revolving around a couple searching for their new home in the city and was a poignant account of issues faced by them fighting for their individual existence. Directed by Bhimsain, it was aptly titled GHARAONDA and had an ensemble of extremely gifted people working together as Bhimsain, Gulzar, Jaidev, Bhupender, Runa Laila, Amol Palekar, Zareena Wahab and Dr. Shreeram Lagoo. It had an outstanding soundtrack and its meaningful songs are widely considered as classics bringing smiles on the faces, especially of the young couples always looking forward to begin their new journey of life in their own house.
After four decades of GHARAONDA, director Anand Tiwari takes up the same premise and presents a new age, lighter version focusing on two youngsters dreaming of owning a house as a couple in the city of Mumbai. And here too we have an interesting title as LOVE PER SQUARE FOOT, innovatively incorporating the terminology commonly used to sell houses in the cities.
Yes, Tiwari’s different and upgraded take on the theme doesn’t try to make any deep comment on the issue or the middle class life in the cities like the classic original. Instead it’s just a sweet, likable film with two charming lead characters played by Vicky Kaushal and Angira Dhar. Fulfilling the major requirement of a love story, the couple thoroughly keeps you engaged with their interesting, adorable interaction and a new-age twist in the storyline (along with a surprise cameo) provides the novelty element.
Plus, what actually makes it worth trying once as a clean family movie is the lovable supporting cast featuring Raghubir Yadav, Ratna Pathak Shah, Supriya Pathak, Gajraj Rao, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Brijendra Kala and more. Their enjoyable comic timing together is fresh and breezy, and the witty one-liners keep you entertained at regular intervals.
At the same time, the narration also has some forced as well as not properly attended sub-plots (like the sensual lady boss) that repeatedly take away the focus from the core subject. Characterisation tends to become confusing after a while hampering the overall impact of the film which eventually also makes it uneven and unrealistic. Moreover a few less songs (a shorter length) and a more focused depiction of the universal problem of housing (reaching the masses) certainly would have resulted in a much better film.
Having said that, LOVE PER SQUARE FOOT still has its two notable merits of a charming lead couple and the chemistry between its stellar supporting cast, which surely makes it more than watchable as a clean family entertainer. So do try it once atleast for Angira Dhar and Raghubir Yadav in particular, who are not going to disappoint in your given two hours.
Rating : 3 / 5
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LOVE PER SQUARE FOOT (Netflix) Review by Bobby Sing at bobbytalkscinema.com, New Hindi Films Reviews by Bobby Sing, New Bollywood Movie Reviews by Bobby Sing, New TV Series Online Movies Reviews by Bobby Sing, New Netflix Movies Reviews by Bobby Sing
