Most Hindi films reserve romance and fairy tales for young lovers, but what happens when Cupid decides to strike a middle-aged bachelor? SonyLIV’s latest film, Parivarik ManuRanjan, brings together Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari in an unconventional romantic comedy that promises love, family drama, and a lot of entertainment. With an unlikely pairing at its centre, the film attempts to show that finding companionship does not come with an age limit. But does it deliver a love story worth rooting for? Read our Parivarik ManuRanjan review to find out.

Parivarik ManuRanjan review: A lonely bachelor, an unexpected housekeeper and a lot of gossip

Set in Nawabon ka sheher, Lucknow, the film introduces us to Ranjan Dubey (Pankaj Tripathi), a middle-aged bachelor who works at the electricity department and lives alone in his ancestral home. Ranjan has spent his entire youth marrying off his sisters and neglecting his own love life. At this point, being single is less of a choice and more of a routine he has grown comfortable with. But his friend Rajaram (Brijendra Kala) is keen on finding a wife for Ranjan.

Things take an interesting turn when Ranjan decides to hire a helper at home to manage chores. Enter Helen (Aditi Rao Hydari), a charming and efficient woman. Soon enough, Helen becomes an indispensable part of Ranjan’s life. And before he knows it, the man who has spent years living alone starts looking forward to having Helen around. Of course, a middle-aged bachelor sharing his home with a young woman is the perfect recipe for neighbourhood gossip. The arrangement raises eyebrows and gives Rajaram plenty of reasons to question Helen’s intentions. But as Ranjan and Helen grow closer, their equation begins to move beyond the boundaries of an employer and employee.

The family drama and comedy could have been sharper

The film attempts to create humour through the reactions of Ranjan’s family, friends and neighbours. From Rajaram’s constant suspicion of Helen to the neighbourhood’s fascination with Ranjan’s domestic arrangement, there are several opportunities for situational comedy.

Sunita Rajwar, who plays Rajaram’s gossip-loving wife Tamanna, adds some liveliness to the story. Her character’s obsession with reels and keeping tabs on everyone else’s business offers a familiar take on neighbourhood gossip. The film’s humour finds its moments, but they are few. Some jokes are predictable, while a few comic situations seem to exist simply to fill the gaps between important developments. The supporting characters have enough personality to liven up the film, but the writing does not always give them interesting things to do. For a film that calls itself a family entertainer, the writing plays it rather safe. It has enough light-hearted moments to keep the atmosphere pleasant, but the humour rarely reaches the level of a genuinely memorable comedy.

Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari bring an unusual charm to the screen

The biggest curiosity surrounding Parivarik ManuRanjan is undoubtedly its casting. Seeing Pankaj Tripathi play a romantic lead opposite Aditi Rao Hydari is not something you encounter every day, and the film relies heavily on this unusual pairing. Tripathi brings his familiar ease and understated humour to Ranjan. His character is a simple, somewhat awkward man who is more comfortable discussing everyday responsibilities than expressing romantic interest. The actor understands the nuances of this personality and makes even the smallest interactions entertaining. Aditi Rao Hydari brings warmth and elegance to Helen, giving the character a pleasant screen presence. She also handles the transition between Helen’s cheerful domestic persona and the more guarded aspects of her identity reasonably well. However, the screenplay does not always give her enough material to make the character as layered as she could have been.

The two actors make for an interesting combination; however, an unusual pairing does not automatically translate into sizzling chemistry. While their equation has its pleasant moments, the chemistry doesn’t always make you feel invested in the relationship.

A predictable screenplay with no emotional depth

What truly brings the movie down is the lazy writing, which fails to convince you to feel anything towards the characters. The movie tries to explore many important and interesting themes, including the responsibilities many unmarried men face, or how domestic work is painfully gendered. The film also touches upon the class divide in society and how deep it runs. However, the film doesn’t dig deep enough to turn these themes into something substantial.

Overall, Parivarik ManuRanjan has an interesting premise with a lot of potential, but unfortunately it fails to impress you.