70' Redux. Review on Mixed Doubles

Rajat Kapoor of ’’Monsoon Wedding’’ and ’’Dil chahta hai’’ fame makes a directorial debut with this movie. Mixed Doubles is based on a hackneyed theme of wife-swapping. But if you liked ’’Hyderbad Blues’’ or ’’Page Three’’, this is the movie for you. From the word go, this movies makes you laugh.

The movie is based on Ranveer Shourey’s (ex MTV VJ) quest for fun outside the boundaries of marriage with Kanakona Sen. This ultimately leads him to try wife-swapping after a discussion with US-based friend of his. I must say he has shown his mettle as an actor in this movie (So kudos to Rajat Kapoor). HE is fresh and has pulled off a convincing performance as a guy desprate for fun and change in sexual life.

Vinay Pathak’s performance as an office colleague will send you in a tizzy. He is so believable and hilarious. This is pleasant surprise. Saurabh Shulka, too, is good as a sober colleague.

A special mention for Koena Purie - who plays Kalpana - Swinger Vinay’s wife is a complete riot. A very beautiful body and good acting, something unseen on hindi movies screen so far. Hers is the perfect casting for this role.

The worst performance is by (who else) Kankona Sen - she is there only because she was there in Page 3 and she happens to be Aparna Sen’s daughter. Only thing she has done well in these two movies is cry.

I have watched this bunch - Rajat, Vinay, Asif Basra in ’’C for Clown’’ play in Prithvi Theatre, almost a decade ago. I admire them for sticking together over a period of time and making a successful transition from experimental theatre to commercial Hindi Cinema.

A note of Rajat Kapoor, I just hope you don’t even get nominated for national awards (like Page 3 did and won showing out national artistic bankruptcy)

I believe you can do far better this and dop understand that this is your first commercial attempt that comes with strings give Indian circumstances.

Over all, I would give Rajat full points for handling this sensitive topic deftly. It would not be unfair to say that this is a short-but-sweet ’’multiplex movie’’ meant for urban audiences. So go for it, have good laughs......