Manu (Ayushman Khurana) meets Maanvi (Vaani Kapoor) at his gym, where the latter joins as a Zumba instructor. Initially reluctant about allowing the gym to be used for the purpose of dance, Manu agrees to allow the diversification as Maanvi makes the gym popular and rakes in money. Then, sparks fly, and he falls in love with her. Maanvi is hesitant to commit as she is still nursing the pain and rejection from her last relationship that left her with a scar - and she is much aware that even this one will go the same way, as she is a transgender. Maanvi was born a male child, but all along felt like a girl; she has endured it all, fighting her family and the society and has gone the whole nine yards to go through the sex change. The inevitable does happen, and as soon as Maanvi gets an opportunity to tell Manu about her truth, the wonderful romance comes to a crashing halt. Manu is unable to come to terms with this startling revelation and accuses Maanvi of deception for sexual gratification. Horrified, Maanvi sees her experience repeating itself as the stigma around her choice refuses to pardon her.
"Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui" is live wire, vivid and graphic in all departments whether it's the no holds barred love or the violent emotional outbursts when the truth emerges. The social reaction is perverse and uncouth, but then given the fact that the subject of transgender is so nouveau in India that perhaps what director Abhishek Kapoor has portrayed is natural. He has also probably assumed an easy way out of the deadlock with an ending that pleases everyone, but through the acceptance he has passed a strong message about the subject and the society's way forward to allow individuals to exercise their choices. This is what films were originally meant to do: spread awareness and ignite social transformation for the better, and "Chandigarh....." ticks all the boxes in this regard. Vaani Kapoor is svelte and fashionable, and she gives an edgy performance swinging between happiness and despair. Her dialogues are well crafted, sharp, and incisive. Ayushman Khurana relives his role in "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" with complete elan - his reaction to the truth is abhorrent but very naturally executed. The music and cinematography are par excellence. If you're wondering why, even after all this, I am rating it the way I have, then my submission is that the film makes for a commercial, easy and populist ending and not a credible one. However, it does pave the way for broaching a subject considered taboo and may be considered path breaking, flagging off a much needed change.
"Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui" is live wire, vivid and graphic in all departments whether it's the no holds barred love or the violent emotional outbursts when the truth emerges. The social reaction is perverse and uncouth, but then given the fact that the subject of transgender is so nouveau in India that perhaps what director Abhishek Kapoor has portrayed is natural. He has also probably assumed an easy way out of the deadlock with an ending that pleases everyone, but through the acceptance he has passed a strong message about the subject and the society's way forward to allow individuals to exercise their choices. This is what films were originally meant to do: spread awareness and ignite social transformation for the better, and "Chandigarh....." ticks all the boxes in this regard. Vaani Kapoor is svelte and fashionable, and she gives an edgy performance swinging between happiness and despair. Her dialogues are well crafted, sharp, and incisive. Ayushman Khurana relives his role in "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" with complete elan - his reaction to the truth is abhorrent but very naturally executed. The music and cinematography are par excellence. If you're wondering why, even after all this, I am rating it the way I have, then my submission is that the film makes for a commercial, easy and populist ending and not a credible one. However, it does pave the way for broaching a subject considered taboo and may be considered path breaking, flagging off a much needed change.