Jahaan review: Mrunal Thakur- Avinash Tiwary’s chemistry is delightful in this predictable short film

3/5

Story:

Ghazal (Mrunal Thakur) and Inder (Avinash Tiwary) are a young couple, hopelessly in love with each other and living a life of bliss in their home. But their dreamy existence comes under threat as some uninvited guests decide to barge into their joyous life, disrupting their peace.

Review:

Jahaan is a short film that would be hard to club into a particular genre for people who have not watched it in its entirety. Its trailer gave it hues of a love story under threat from external forces, and in a way, the film does hold true to that.

The film revolves around the story of Ghazal and Inder, an interfaith couple who have built a life of bliss for themselves in their cozy home. Mrunal Thakur and Avinash Tiwary’s chemistry is in full dazzling display in the film. It could definitely be called one of the best things about the film as well.

Right from the get-go, the duo lures one in with their adoring and charming banter, which will bring a smile to viewers' faces. The friendly shots they take at each other, their light-hearted quibbles and the way they make up, are all endearing to say the least. The writers did a good job at being able to perfectly capture the demeanour of couples still on the cusp of the novelty of their relationship. Thakur and Tiwary’s excellent performances just seal the deal.

Through their banter, we get to know a bit of their love story, as well as the threat that looms over it. The menace in their lives comes in the form of the people who are seemingly trying to kick them out of their homes, although the two decide that they would not give in without a fight.

The big reveal in the film falls dismally short of an engaging climax, as any viewer with an atom of alertness can effortlessly guess what is going to happen. If the news report from Inder’s radio at the beginning of the film is not enough of a giveaway about the ending, then Ghazal’s comment about how their landlord placed a ‘To-let’ board right outside their home, despite them living there, surely would do the trick.

The predictability of the story is only trumped by how uninspired it is, and if it weren't for the two lead stars, the film would have quickly spiraled into insipid territory. The film had numerous ways to subtly tease viewers into its grand reveal, rather than the obvious smoking guns that it leaves scattered.

Verdict:

Jahaan had all the makings of a story that could intrigue you, but falls into the pitfall of predictability from its very beginning. Its saving grace comes in the form of Thakur and Tiwary’s delightful performances and palpable chemistry.

The short film can be viewed on Amazon miniTV.