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What happens when you think you swing both ways? Tread a `tedha medha’ path, with trepidation, that’s what.
London-based Pinu Patel (Vinay) is a virgin who will have anyone if she will have him. But a Smriti Irani clone back in India dumps him on their wedding day, because of his `uncool dhokla’ ways. All is despair, until Pinu discovers that he may have found the love of his life, but is it Renu (Gul), the curvy yet wholesome cashier employed in his Indian eatery, or Kamlesh (Anuj), pronounced without the `h’, crack chef-cum-wannabe-stand-up comedian?
Parvati Balagopalan finds her rhythm a trifle slowly. Post-interval, `Straight’ settles down to unspool several laugh-out-loud moments (Pinu’s restaurant is called Gaylord, ha ha), mixed with sweet sentiment. And this time, unlike in her debut ` Rules : Pyar Ka Superhit Formula’, the director gets the mix right. It helps hugely that she’s snagged just the right cast. It’s heartening to see pudgy, about-to-lose-their-hair, no-longer-in-the-first-blush-of-youth regular guys play the lead in a love story, and smart good-looking ones (Anuj) in supporting parts.
The `outing’ of Pinu’s very dude cousin Rajat (Sidhharth) , full of `bonkety-doodle do’ jokes and bulging biceps, seems a bit too sudden, but everything else is in its right place. I’m a virgin, says Pinu. But I’m not, says Renu, drawing him close, her dimples deep enough to lose a coin in. This matter-of-fact expression of female sexuality, minus any sanction or baggage, is a happy augury for New Bollywood. All hail.
Funny and poignant, without being too heavy, `Straight’ is well worth your time.
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