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OK Jaanu Review: Mani Ratnam is one of the few filmmakers in the world who explores the darker side of human behavior to perfection. All Ratnam films excluding Roja, Bombay and Mouna Raagam have a patented darkness level which may go unnoticed the first time one watches it. Ratnams films are not something that one can watch for time-pass. Every Ratnam film needs to be introspected properly to understand the hidden motives of the characters which he presents beautifully time and time again in different ways. After the spectacular "Raavan" and a poignant "Kadal", Ratnam has written the script for the first release of 2017, OK Jaanu, directed by Shaad Ali, which is in no way different from the master scriptwriters darker films like Guru, Dil Se, Nayakan, Thalapathi and Kannathil Muthamittal as far as the characterization of the male leads are concerned.

The film starts with Tara (Shraddha Kapoors character) having an argument with a young man in a railway station who wants to marry her. She dislikes him and threatens to jump on to the railway track if he doesnt go away. It is here the two leads see each other for the first time. Having met again at a wedding and not having belief in the institution of marriage, the two decide to date each other. During the first day of their date, circumstances lead Tara to reveal to Aditya about her high class background, her mother being MD of a successful company. Aditya, meanwhile, stays in the house of Mr.Shrivastav (Naseeruddin Shah) and his wife (Leela Samson) who are poles apart in their beliefs as compared to the younger generation.

One fine day, having seen Shrivastav take care of his wife, who has Alzheimers disease, everyday without fail, Aditya asks how they ended up marrying each other. It is after this important point, the film takes off. Without this scene, the film wouldnt make much sense. So, it is a film that also showcases the psychological impact an environment has towards a person. Finally, does Aditya marry Tara?. If yes, then, is it because of his understanding and liking towards her or is there something else possibly that could play a crucial role in his professional life? That is what the film tries to convey. It throws light on the attitude and the outlook of the younger male generation towards marriage and life in general.

The performances are outstanding in this film. Aditya Roy Kapoor puts his own self into the character and plays it quite effortlessly. There are so many scenes which are worth a mention for his acting talent. Like the scene when they first get physical with each other, Adityas character reveals that he like sexual intimacy more than being emotional or the scene in the hospital where he is desperate to know whether his girlfriend is pregnant or not. These are two of the many scenes which has darkness written all over and no scriptwriter in the world showcases it more perfectly than Mani Ratnam.

Shraddha Kapoor as the adamant Tara who has a change of heart after staying in Shrivastavs house, has done a fabulous job. It is difficult to imagine any other heroine playing this character. Naseeruddin Shah delivers a nuanced performance as the caretaker Shrivastav. He represents the common old man in the film. Leela Samson who plays the main catalyst in changing Taras heart, makes you feel for her character which is notable especially in a scene when she stays stranded outside a temple having forgotten her way back home. Shaad Ali, the director of the film has done justice to the original (Ok Kanmani, Tamil film) Having said these, there are some dialogues mouthed by the lead characters during the latter half of the film where one can sense a Déjà-vu feeling. It gets annoying after sometime. But these are just minor glitches in this film which is a sweet and dark love story told in a stupendous way. I hope the audience understands it thoroughly. Otherwise, it will be deeply misunderstood. Hope, it makes the younger male generation realize the hidden truths about themselves. It is a must-watch!!