On Spotlight: Tollywood’s Three Comedies

Ruchira examines Tollywood’s three zany comedies, which tackle youth issues and diversity with a dash of nonsensicality, exclusively for Different Truths.

Of late, a new genre of films is being churned out by a good number of Tollywood directors. Such flicks are overall uproariously funny, partly melodramatic, and a tad nonsensical. Yet from a certain point of view, they appear to be socially relevant. Particularly when you realize that their subject matter is contemporary youth and the diverse problems in their daily lives and how they hammer out solutions. These flicks also give subtle hints towards unity in diversity.

For instance, Haranath Chakraborty’s Daal bati churma  chorchori revolves around two households in north Kolkata: one a Bengali family and the other a Marwari (read Rajasthani) clan, domiciled in Kolkata. Koushani Mukherji portrays the Bengali girl, while Bonny Sengupta plays the Rajasthani boy who is head over heels in love with her. As is natural and expected, their divergent backgrounds, lifestyles views and diet patterns create an abyss between them. The film explores the comic elements arising from such conflicts and finally achieves reconciliation between the two families. The overall approach is light, providing an ample dosage of humour for the viewers. 

Mainak Bhowmik’s Cheeni 2 is again a rom-com. Kindly note it is not a sequel of Cheeni as is bandied around, though both have the same set of actors. Mishti (played by Aparajta Adhya) a humble housewife, is taken for granted by her spouse. Her children adopt an indifferent air towards her children. Things begin to change with the arrival of   Mishti’s new tenant Cheeni, who is a bubbly and vivacious girl (played by Madhumita Sarkar). She nurtures rosy dreams but is extremely allergic to relationships or matrimony. She develops a rapport with the middle-aged woman, and together they embark on a journey of self-discovery. An interesting climax is achieved when an unaware Cheeni falls in love with none other than Mishti’s son. A good deal of brawls and skirmishes ensue; however, in the end, when everything gets settled the young ones tie the knot with Mishti’s (husband in tow) blessings.

Filter Coffee Liqueur Cha is a hilarious slapstick comedy film. The bubbly Himeli (Priyanka Sarkar), who coordinates a TV cookery show, is unable to adjust with Subramaniam (Nishan Nanaiah) her Tamil, vegetarian flat-mate. Coincidentally, when the TRP ratings of her show go on a tailspin, it is Subramaniam (who is a seasoned chef though he pursues a corporate job) who comes to the lady’s rescue. Despite the differences in their personalities, the two get attracted to each other, and barriers begin to crumble. However, owing to a misunderstanding they drift apart. At this juncture Subramanian’s Amma /foster mother (played by the one and only Usha Uthup) steps in to bring about a reconciliation. 

Anjan Kanjilal’s oeuvre Sahobashe is a vivid life-like portrayal of young Indian males and females who opt for live-in relationships in urban areas (read metros). It depicts how owing to work-related stress, long working hours, and hectic schedules the lives of such individuals tend to get a tad disoriented. Add to it the constant badgering by both pairs of parents, mood swings and hormone-related issues and the result is sheer pandemonium. Tushi (Ishaa Saha) and Neel (Anubhav Kanjilal) are in such a partnership. Their life is nothing short of a roller coaster ride. However, they ultimately manage to usher in elements of harmony and cheerfulness.

Picture design by Anumita Roy from posters of IMDb