‘Mannu Kya Karegga?’ movie review: A warm coming-of-age tale with heart
Mannu Kya Karegga? is a heartfelt coming-of-age story set in Dehradun. With charming performances by Vyom, Saachi Bindra and Vinay Pathak, the film balances romance, chaos and self-discovery, leaving behind a warm, memorable aftertaste
Every now and then, all a film has to do is envelop you in a cozy, warm hug and Mannu Kya Karegga? does exactly that.
It’s a classic coming-of-age tale that wins you over with its down-to-earth characters, understated storytelling, and authentic performances.
Directed by SsanJay Tripaathy and set against the picturesque backdrop of college town Dehradun, the movie tracks Manav Chaturvedi aka Mannu (Vyom), who is a student with his hand in everything, but no idea where he’s going.
Step in Jiya Rastogi (Saachi Bindra), a no-nonsense student and a focused girl, who’s transferred to Dehradun from DU with her sights firmly on Stanford or Harvard.
A missed college trip bus ride and a fortuitous connection later, sparks fly, love blooms, and thus begins Mannu’s journey – not only of romance, but of self-discovery.
But as with every good college story, things become complicated. In order to impress Jiya, Mannu creates a fake start-up and what begins innocently enough escalates into utter madness.
What follows is heartbreak, family drama, and Mannu hitting rock bottom, all leading to a subdued yet potent turning point inspired by his quirky yet sage professor, “Don” (played with pitch-perfect flair by Vinay Pathak).
The performances across the board are beautifully lived-in. Vyom makes Mannu lovable even at his worst, Saachi Bindra’s Jiya is a breath of fresh air, Kumud Mishra and Charu Shankar as Mannu’s supportive-yet-disappointed parents add emotional heft.
Mannu Kya Karegga? is a sweet ride of love and purpose fueled by the amiable performances of its newcomers who introduce a real sparkle to the screen.