Tanu Weds Manu Returns Review

Seldom does a sequel surpasses its original in terms of content and screenplay. But Tanu Weds Manu Returns is a perfect sequel to adorable Tanu Weds Manu. It breaks new grounds in narratives and casting. Not only all the elements of the movie-making are in full swing but all the actors are in their elements.

The best Bollywood sequel ever?

It starts exactly where the previous one ended. To put things in perspective here’s some spoilers of Tanu Weds Manu-1. In the previous movie, a rebellious Tanu (Kangana) chooses Manu (Madhavan) over Raja Awashti (Jimmy Shergill) in a fluctuating third act of the movie. And we had both Manu and Raja coming in for the marriage with their respective baraats! But it all ended well with Raja conceding defeat and letting Tanu wed Manu.

In the first act we are re-introduced to unruly and a defiant Tanu, who after 4 years of marriage makes Manu mad enough to get him admitted to a mental asylum in UK. After that story returns to India and things start moving pretty fast. While Tanu is enjoying her rebellion life in Kanpur, Manu falls for a Kangana lookalike, Kusum (Kangana lookalike). We are introduced to some new characters and re-introduced to old characters with more depth. The first half of movie is pretty tight with impeccable direction and screenplay. Second half to some extent is flawless except for some brief moments where it slows for emotional overture. While it is really about Tanu and Manu searching within themselves for love and despair. It is the story of people around them which makes this movie a faultless sequel. The great thing about part-1 was its dialogue and that legacy is not only maintained but improved upon in the sequel.

Battle for a good sequel is half won when all the characters from previous movie return for the sequel. What is more fascinating is that the new characters are seamlessly bonded with this movie and seizes the important moments of the movie. This movie is an ensemble of all the under-valued actors of the Bollywood. If any actor of the underrated society was missing in the last movie, they were added here in the form of Chintu (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) and Kusum’s brother (Rajesh Sharma). There is also another actress who plays the role of Kusum, Manu’s new love interest who captures your mind with her beautiful accented Haryanvi and incredible determination. I have been told that she is also played by Kanagana Ranaut but I still cannot believe it. The research is on. She infuses fresh breath to Manu’s life and this movie. Her harayanvi accent is a work of proficiency.

The two actresses - Kangana Ranaut and
her lookalike who is yet unknown

While Madhavan comes good as self-restrained yet perennially confused Manu, it is Kanagana’s Tanu who stretches deep into her character from her last movie. But the real scene stealer is Kusum played by Kanaga Ranaut lookalike! You want her to be in more scenes and with more dialogues. Jimmy Shergill has an extended role in this movie and completely dominates each scene that he is in. He has been given some of the best one-liners in the movie. But the way he delivers it stands out. He really is the most understated actor of Bollywood at this moment. The brilliance of Jimmy Shergill has been overlooked since the days of Haasil.

Dipak Dobriyal and R Madhavan - a testimony to undervaluation

Dipak Dobriyal as always shines most amongst the supporting cast. Like Jimmy Shergill he has also been given some incredible dialogues and plays his role perfect as the comic side-kick of the actor reminiscing of the 90s when it was routine that lead actor had some great comic-relief side-kick/friend. Also Zeeshan as budding lawyer is to look out for. He will be seen in some great movies next year.

Anand L Rai has made a masterclass movie and should be praised without any hesitations. He has redefined the genre of Romantic Comedy with this movie. He is doing some great work and better movies are to follow.

The songs in the movie never become hindrance to story. In fact the picturisation of all the songs are pretty spot on. You would like to download its video and watch it again and again, it is that beautiful, especially Banno Tera Swagger and Ghani Bawri.

After watching this movie, the only thing that will disrupt you is the question- Did we just watch the best sequel ever made in Bollywood?

9/10 – Banno’s swagger is indeed sexy, eye catching and a must watch. Don’t miss this movie!