Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is a romantic drama directed by Abhishek Kapoor. Kapoor penned the story along with Supratik Sen and Tushar Paranjpe. Sen and Kapoor together wrote the screenplay. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Vaani Kapoor, Kanwaljit Singh, Gautam Sharma, Gourav Sharma, Sawan Rupowali and Tanya Abrol.
Produced by T-Series and Guy in the Sky Pictures, Sachin–Jigar composed the music. The duration of the film is 117 minutes. The film is now out in theatres all over India.
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui Review: Plot Summary
Abhishek Kapoor’s Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui tells the story of Manu Munjal, a fitness enthusiast and bodybuilder, and Maanvi, a Zumba teacher (Ayushmann Khurrana and Vaani Kapoor). The couple falls in love swiftly and shares many passionate moments. As Manu confesses his feelings to Maanvi, she tells him she’s a trans woman.
Manu is shocked to learn Maanvi’s truth. He’s disgusted that he had sex with a man whose previous name was Manu. Maanvi, who has been subjected to humiliation for years, has to go through it all over again. From being called a ‘chakka’ to ‘kinnar’, the derogatory labels are thrown at too painful to take. So what will be the conclusion of this love story? Well, it’s a Bollywood film, and the ending is usually a happy one.
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui Review: Discussion
The first half of Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is excellent. Kapoor doesn’t waste any time and gets right to the point. Everything is well-played – the love sequence, confessions and Manu’s transphobic outbursts. I’m always concerned about how sensitive subjects are depicted in Hindi films. But Kapoor has shown respect for the subject and the community he intends to represent.
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Manu’s reaction to Maanvi’s truth is one of the first half’s standout scenes. After knowing the truth, Ayushmann’s character is so humiliated that he scrubs himself roughly while bathing. Another great scene takes place in a mall where Maanvi and Manu have a heated argument. Manu crosses the line while insulting Maanvi, who gives it right back. She’s had enough of society’s inability to change, learn and respect others. I admired Maanvi’s confidence in herself and her refusal to seek acceptance from people like Manu. To sum it up, the first half is pacy, intriguing and slaps hard before the interval.
The second half gets bumpy with some solid and several dragged sequences. Firstly, the scenes that stand out – Manu trying to understand the struggles, reality and lives of trans people. Along with Manu, Kapoor is also helping the audience learn that sex, gender, genitals don’t make a person different from others. We are all humans who want love, peace and acceptance. The extent to which Manu goes to educate himself is remarkable. Thankfully, it’s not preachy or dramatic, as we saw in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhaan.
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The hospital sequence and the climax were the second half portions that bugged me. The hospital sequence included an emotional encounter between Maanvi and her mother and some well-timed jokes. But it was stretched too much, hampering the grip of the plot. The climax should have been about Maanvi but somehow became about Manu instead. Manu’s ‘struggle’ is the secondary plot, and I wish it weren’t given all the importance in the end. The ending should’ve just been about Maanvi and Maanvi only.
Vaani Kapoor’s portrayal as Maanvi in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is commendable. In practically every film, Bollywood filmmakers have wasted her potential. She’s good and gorgeous in every frame. Thank you, Abhishek Kapoor, for giving Vaani the brilliant role she portrayed with such conviction.
In Kapoor’s film, Maanvi was able to be herself and change how she felt from the outside. It is a privilege not every trans person in the world has. As this is just a start of an important conversation in Bollywood, I hope we cover every aspect of the trans community in the future.
Ayushmann Khurrana as Manu gives a solid performance. Well, that’s expected from an amazing actor like him. It’s good to see the man who sends a social message through his film learn a big one in Kapoor’s directorial. Actors Gourav Sharma and Gautam Sharma not only wore hilarious t-shirt but appeared as an entertaining duo as Manu’s friends.
Sachin-Jigar has composed the music for Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, which is quite upbeat and peppy. Kheench Te Nach and title tracks are still playing in my head. The choreography by Manoj Lobo for both songs is incredible.
Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui Review: Final Thoughts
Overall, Abhishek Kapoor’s film has an important message for everyone with his latest release. Vaani and Ayushmann’s hard work to appear as professional Zumba instructor and fitness enthusiast is visible on screen. It’s a good entertainment package with the brilliant first half, fantastic performances, superb humour and fun music.
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