Modern Love Hyderabad review: Directors Nagesh Kukunoor, Uday Gurrala shine in an anthology that has an equal share of hits and misses

3/5

Story:

Noori Hussain and her mother Mehrunisa need to rise above their differences and tolerate one another through the first lockdown of the pandemic. Rohan, a successful entrepreneur, has to rise above his childhood trauma and embrace his past with his grandmother. Renu and Uday's relationship faces a critical test when the former finds out that her partner hasn't moved on from his ex.

A television producer Ashwin and a standup comedian Vandana land in an awkward space when their professional collaboration does not take off as expected and their relationship faces the heat. A micro-biologist Indu is pessimistic about men and relationships after a three-month-long relationship comes to a close. Sneha, in her quest to find the right life partner, also needs to tolerate an over-protective father back home.

Review:

My Unlikely Pandemic Dream Partner

(Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, features Revathy and Nithya Menen)

One of the well-written shorts in the anthology, the film makes fitting use of its powerhouse performers and is complemented by Nagesh Kukunoor’s feather-light treatment of a simple, heartwarming story. Revolving around a mother and a daughter coming to terms with their wounds of the past through the lockdown, the short delves into the dark corners of the relationships we share with our beloved and how food and time can help us heal those sore spots.

The short is as much about two contrasting women mourning the loss of a loved one in their own, unique ways and the duo discover unknown dimensions of each other in the process. It is sensitive, funny and breezy and relies on heartfelt conversations, and nostalgic moments to drive its message across. Nithya is an apt choice to portray a rebellious yet independent woman though it’s Revathy’s effortlessness as Mehrunisa that lends depth to the narrative.

Fuzzy, Purple And Full Of Thorns

(Directed By Nagesh Kukunoor, Features Aadhi Pinisetty and Ritu Varma)

This isn’t a short that you’ll remember for its plot but more for its intriguing treatment of an awkward phase in a rather-steady relationship between a modern-day couple. It all seems smooth going for a veterinary doctor Uday and a digital illustrator Renu until the latter discovers something from her partner’s past that leaves her uneasy. She overthinks, breaks her head about it and needs to find a way to put the point across to her partner.

The film suggests how everyone has their own mechanism to deal with their past and it’s best when a loved one doesn’t read too much into it. The flashy narration gets slightly farcical at times. In what isn’t the easiest of plots to interpret for the visual medium, Nagesh’s minimalism in his storytelling and effective use of animation stand out. Ritu Varma and Aadhi Pinisetty’s composure anchors this attempt salvaged by the filmmaking.

What Clown Wrote This Script!

(Directed by Uday Gurrala, features Abijeet Duddala and Malavika Nair)

Very today and urbane with its premise and storytelling, Mail filmmaker Uday Gurrala’s short showcases the complexities within a relationship centered on professional collaboration. A television producer Ashwin, who’s keen to make a mark as a storyteller, is smitten by a standup comedian Vandana. What starts as a potential collaboration blossoms into a full-blown romance – will their relationship stand the test of time amid professional uncertainties?

A captivating insight into the ephemeral nature of relationships within the entertainment industry, the short reflects the uneasiness of mixing business with pleasure. Despite its thematic heaviness, Uday’s maturity in handling the grey areas of interpersonal relationships and the nuanced writing make for intriguing viewing. The underrated Malavika Nair uses her body language effectively to communicate the character’s persona and Abijeet returns to form with a meaty role of a man caught in the crossfire. And do watch out for the humble tribute to Jandhyala!

Why Did She Leave Me There…?

(Directed By Nagesh Kukunoor, Features Suhasini Maniratnam And Naresh Agastya)

The unlikely tearjerker in the anthology mirrors the trauma of an adopted child haunted by the horrors of his past. Rohan is caught between two identities – his current stature as a CEO of a growing company and a childhood in penury with his grandma. The film is a beautiful ode to the relationships we share with our grandparents, the significance of little pleasures and how they guard us against the brutality of the world.

In a role conflicted between his past and present, Naresh Agastya, in a fine follow-up performance after Senapathi and Mathu Vadalara, is brilliant in an underplayed, moving tale about lost childhood. Suhasini plays to her strengths in a performance where she needs to mask the tragedies in her life with a reassuring smile. Nagesh Kukunoor’s unmatched expertise in portraying tenderness and warmth in familial relationships is the USP of the film.

About That Rustle In The Bushes

(Directed By Devika Bahudhanam, Features Ulka Gupta And Naresh)

Stories about modern-day daughters being perturbed by over-protective fathers aren’t exactly new. The film is a story about a father, who, in a bid to make up for his past mistakes, goes overboard in guarding her daughter. The short highlights the difficulties of modern-day parenting with a dash of humour though it has a myopic look at its core theme and doesn’t delve into its conflicts with depth.

Initially, the tale does call out the father for stalking his daughter but loses its plot due to sentimentalism later and goes too far in idolising its pivotal character. The film has its moments of smartness (look at how a teenager in an apartment helps the father) and the cheeky on-screen camaraderie between Naresh and Divya Vani is indeed enjoyable. Ulka Gupta is impressive as a daughter who needs wings to fly high. A strictly average fare!

Finding Your Penguin…

(Directed By Venkatesh Maha, Features Komalee Prasad, Rag Mayur)

Venkatesh Maha, whose career took off on a high with C/O Kancharapalem and Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya, struggles to translate an abstract idea onto the screen this time. Devoid of impact and purpose, the film is about a confused girl who’s desperate to find love and is in a hurry to get over a bad breakup. A microbiologist by profession, she tries to find parallels between the characteristics of her potential partners and the traits of different species.

The characters are poorly fleshed out and it’s hard to empathise with the confusion and the desperation of its protagonist. There’s no emotional centre and the scenarios are more bizarre than wacky. Komalee Prasad’s act is rather mechanical and on-the-face while Rag Mayur is passable in a role that’s in stark contrast to his Maridesh Babu act in Cinema Bandi. The open-ended narrative works but it needed a better foundation in terms of writing and execution.

Verdict:

Modern Love Hyderabad is an appreciable, bitter-sweet attempt to highlight the complexities of modern-day relationships in a metropolis but not all of its ideas translate onto the screen effectively. Nithya Menen, Suhasini, Revathy, Naresh Agastya, Abijeet and Malavika Nair come up with memorable performances in substantial roles while it’s Uday Gurrala and Nagesh Kukunoor who stand out as storytellers.