Meri Pyaari Bindu Review: Ayushmann Khurrana-Parineeti Chopra's love story fails to strike a chord

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Film: Meri Pyaari Bindu  Director: Akshay Roy Starring: Parineeti Chopra, Ayushmann Khurrana Rating: * 1/2 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' is a story of childhood crush which gradually evolves into adulthood love. Ayushmann Khurrana who was last seen in 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' and Parineeti Chopra whose last release was 'Kill Dill' are the lead pair of this romantic comedy. Abhimanyu (Ayushmann) and Bindu (Parineeti) are neighbours since childhood. It was kind of love at first sight for Abhi when he first saw Bindu and was completely smitten by her. They share the same school, college and are glued to each other. Bindu is quirky, ditsy, unpredictable and aspires to be singer. Along the course of time, they shift into different cities but as destined, they once again meet in Mumbai where their romantic relationship kick starts. Will Bindu who is a serial engagement-breaker be able to carry committed relationship? What fate will her singing aspirations meet? For this you have to watch the movie.                                                    You Tube screenshot Akshay Roy's directorial debut 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' is set in the backdrop of 90s Kolkata and along with passing years, it travels to Goa and Mumbai. Characters' costumes fails to give the feel of the 90s. You get a Bengali stereotyped family who is addicted to football and carrom. Script is loosely-weaved and screenplay is not at all impressive. It doesn't feel you are watching a love story, it feels like a life story with per day activities of Bindu-Abhi being recorded and played. The movie lacks soul which is required in a romantic comedy. Film is shallow and till interval you are clueless. You don't know where the entire movie is heading. Though it has some comic relief to crack you up but even that doesn't act as the saving grace. The movie constantly keeps shifting between past and present with two stories running parallel on screen.                                                    You Tube screenshot The pace of the movie is slow with elongated scenes that it ultimately starts testing your patience. Apart from a long narration to establish Bindu's character, couple of unnecessary scenes were there to show free-spirited nature of the leading lady. Abundance of things were shown minutely which only made it difficult for viewers to survive. ACTING Parineeti and Ayushmann have not attempted anything new. Ayushmann plays the romantic hero who can't get off Bindu away from his heart. Parineeti is the same bubbly girl which she was in her earlier films. Parineeti lacks requisite emotion in the scene when her father repents his mistake. It's a high time for Parineeti to step out of the particular genre. Aparajita Adhya and Rajatava Dutta played Abhimanyu's parents and they brighten up the screen whenever they come together. Aparajita Adhya and Rajatava Dutta. (You Tube screenshot) SONGS Songs of Lata Mangeshkar, R D Burman are part of the movie in the form of Abhi-Bindu's tape. Everytime 'Abhi Na Jao Chhor Ke' is played, your soul gets stirred.  Musician duo Sachin-Jigar and lyricist Kausar Munir and Priya Saraiya have done a good job.  'Mana Ke Hum Yaar Nahin' is better than rest of the songs. With dearth of depth in the movie, 'Meri Pyaari Bindu' is as confused as its female lead character. Spend your money only if you are a Parineeti-Ayushmann's admirer or want to relive a bit of Kolkata.