In Bollywood, where the producers seek every small instance and reason (scene ki demand) to sex up the silver screen with sleaze and generate interest, here is an extremely sensitive (read disgraceful) subject of wife swapping or swinging that has been handled in an equally matured & dignified manner by Rajat Kapoor. In fact he goes out of his way in his interviews saying that not to expect any skin show and sleaze due the subject of the movie.
It raises a question on the farce fidelity that exists between couples which is more out of social responsibility, guilt, compulsion, and obligation rather than coming naturally from their heart. Probably every married couple may be going through this passing phase of life, but extra marital affair or swapping may pose a bigger threat that this movie fails to highlight. In a country, where in recent times, an extra marital affairs is now no longer a surprise, wife swapping to be accepted in a similar way is still probably a generation away. But with such movies in the making it may reduce by a few years. Many studies conducted by various AIDS organizations(Gates Foundation and several NGOs) of repute have highlighted the fact that the percentage of married men is more than the bachelors doing the rounds of dance bars, prostitutes etc… which further goes to strengthen the fact of boredom in bedrooms highlighted in the movie.
Though our producers are not only & always supposed to plays the gospels, but still being related to an industry that does have a direct impact and influence on the naïve Indian followers, subjects like this should definitely be shown in poor light rather than otherwise. This aspect of social human responsibility has blatantly been ignored. Our censors swing in action on subjects that can affects the religious & political sentiments and burry films like ‘Black Friday’ then they should also consider such movies that can have an adverse impact on the already diminishing culture of our society. Our Menaka Gandhi raises eye brows on an ant that is exploited in a movie & gives a miss to the animal instincts and behavior that have been outrageously misused/exposed in the movie.
The movie starts with Sunil (Ranveer) & Malti (Konkana Sen), as a typical urban educated working middle class nuclear family with a 7 yrs old son & married for 10 yrs. The lifestyle of the couple highlights the fact that actually exists in cities where a lot of middle aged couples between the age group of 35 – 45 yrs. are going through a mundane phase of life where sex with your wife has become as mechanical as waxing or a hair cut. Though Malti is interested in sex but Sunil has lost that spark and tries to avoid it which has been beautifully conveyed by some humorous moments. U.S. returned friend who visits Sunil exposes him to the western concept of wife swapping which has been his secret to his youth. Sunil finds an alternative to his diminishing libido. He coerces Malti to the extent that leads to fights and separation for a few days. Sunil’s hunt for such broad- minded couples has some funny moments to sustain humor throughout the storyline. There is a parallel that is drawn between wife swapping (adopted by Sunil) and extra marital affairs(adopted by Sunil’s office colleague) that only goes to highlight the alternatives to ignite fire back in life. When Sunil realizes the fact about his U.S. return friend had lied about wife swapping only goes to highlight the fact that migrants are more conscious to retain their Indian culture than the aping Indians living in India. Finally Sunil clicks a deal with Vinod (Rajat Kapoor) and Kalpana (Koel Puri) who break the ice over a weekend. The extended bedroom drama between the couples could have been shortened.
The portrayal of these characters is very realistic as if you are peeping into your neighbor’s house. Ranveer’s expressions as a first timer to this concept have been enacted well. Konkana looks like a suburban women next door and lives up to the character to the hilt. Rajat Kapoor looks very graceful as usual with Koel Puri as a whimsical wife is passable. Naseeruddin Shah in a very small role is fabulous that only states that he is still way above all of the actors mentioned above and how much we miss him. A small budget Hinglish movie, typically targeted at the multiplex audience may fail to attract crowd due to poor publicity but probably the word of mouth may just offer some rescue. Since it is an extremely controversial subject it is definitely not going to be accepted by the society by and large in the perspective that the director expects it to be. Since our so called “Page 3” society already regularly indulges in “car keys (read husband) exchange games“ this movie would influence the forever aping middle class audience to throw away their inhibitions openly who are currently scouting to release their energies through websites on the internet.