Odd Couple Review: "The comedy of errors hits the right notes of sarcasm on modern day relationships"

Odd couple, made by debutant director Prashant Johari, is about two couples whose applications for marriage get swapped mistakenly and they end up getting the wrong spouse 'officially'

 

It's a heartwarming and charming slice of life drama that centers on an elderly couple - Yogesh and Nivedita - played by Vijay Raaz and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi , and Nivedita and Piyush played by Pranati Rai Prakash and Divyenndu.

 

My above paragraph makes the root for the confusion obvious - yes , the first name of the leading ladies. And also they share the same residential building! But the comedy of errors takes an unconventional turn when the crossed spouses develop feelings for each other. The younger and free spirited Nivedita is in complete awe of the reclusive painter, Yogesh and  falls for him. And the social entrepreneur, Piyush nurtures a kind of platonic love for the older Nivedita who is much older than him.

 

Writer Praneet Verma's material is translated into this drama by Johari in a record shooting span of 13 days and that's actually a reason to applaud the efforts of the entire team. Though the narrative is a bit patchy at times and confined mostly to indoors due to which it feels a tad dated, Johari extracts good performances from his lead cast which gloss over the shaky parts. 

 

Suchitra Krishnamoorthy as Nivedita connected the most to me. She brings in an unmistakable composure, resolve and maturity to her character.Vijay Raaz is a man of few words and gives an intellectual edge to the Berlin-returned Yogesh. Pranati plays her part with conviction - she displays an array of the emotions and flamboyance that  you typically find in a youngsters.As the middle class Bihari Boy, Divyenndu is confident and flawless in his diction and exudes that inherent charm and decency. Manoj Pahwa as the registrar officer is funny. So is Sumit Gulati in his brief appearance.

 

Odd Couple could have been much more if it could have made subtlety and depth as its prime weapon.But the sarcasm in the modern take on relationships and varying mindsets across the generations works on the whole.