Never Ending Movie Carnival
Never Ending Movie Carnival
Parivarik ManuRanjan review: Quirky, Heartfelt and charmingly Layered
‘Parivarik ManuRanjan’ – Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari are paring for the first time to give a humanitarian layer to love, relationship and family bonding with an undercurrent of empowerment in this sweet and charming gem released on Sony LIV
Parivarik ManuRanjan movie review
Set in Lucknow, a forty-year-old gentleman bachelor Ranjan Dubey (Pankaj Tripathi) lives alone in an ancestral mansion. A suggestion from a well-wisher, friend, neighbour and colleague played by Brijendra Kala to get a life partner fails miserably and circumstances force Ranjan Dubey to hire a maid and house manager Helen (Aditi Rao Hydari) to look after him and his house.
The relationship between the simpleton gentleman Dubey and his gorgeous maid and house manager Helen raises eyebrows, curiosity and doubts leading into quirky funny moments, confusion, romance and lot more…
Opening with the introduction of Pankaj Tripathi as Ranjan Dubey (reminded me of Mr. Suri played by Shah Rukh Khan from Aditya Chopra’s ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’) and his encounter with the gorgeous Helen (naam Helen aur kaam maid ka, yaar aisa khana toh biwi nahi bana sakti) such dialogues and comments set the tone rightly for a quirky layered take on typecasting of women. Dubey’s neighbours, colleagues and family – his three married sisters and their husbands are surprised and couldn’t believe, they gossip, they snigger. The undercurrent of typecasting a woman be a housewife, or a maid comes out well and it’s the major highlight.
The writer director Varun V. Sharma along with his co-writers Brijendra Kala (also the actor) and Ali Abbas Zafar (also the co producer) weave a delightful rom com about the enduring romance between Ranjan and Helen oscillating between simplicity, coy and the prejudice of the society.
Performances
Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari are the scene-stealers in this parivarik romantic slice of life film. The simplicity, ease and trademark mannerism of Pankaj Tripathi is just perfect.
Aditi Rao Hydari is excellent, her small gestures, spontaneity and that coyness wins heart.
Brijendra Kala in his trademark style brings humour and is endearing.
Sunita Rajwar seems to an extension from her role as the wannabe social media influencer from Gullak’s latest season but she is still good though she has very limited screen presence.
Mukesh Tiwari brings an interesting turn and is quite good.
Parivarik ManuRanjan review – final words
‘Parivarik ManuRanjan’ is a decent feel good family entertainer with delightful performances and harmless humour. Dialogues are simple and funny. The screenplay maintains the emotional nudges though the layer of women typecasting and prejudice could have been explored more. Varun V. Sharma’s direction binds together all the elements to deliver a satisfying watch.
Presented by Sony LIV Original and made under the banner of Bhanushali Prductions Ltd, AAZ Films, ‘Parivarik ManuRanjan’ is set to premiere exclusively on Sony LIV from November 13, 2026.
Going with a happy three and a half stars (3.5/5)
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma