Also, words like unbreakable and scratch are used in places where the people being addressed won’t probably get them at all. The apparatus was all there but was not deployed in the writing room. Paritosh Pati Tripathi, who plays Devi, Manokamna’s best friend, could have been better utilised in the narrative than just being a mere side-kick who is also seemingly in love with her. He just has a set of punch lines, which makes the character hollow. In fact, Ranjan’s character does not have a distinct and well-etched arc to follow. In terms of the writing, the romantic track between Ranjan (debutant Anud Singh Dhaka) and Manokamna feels too sped up and lacks the kind of emotional pull that it should have had. It doesn’t blend with the setting in which the story unfolds.

One of the things that stands out for no apparent reason is Manokamna’s costume and overall look. It’s the punchlines delivered with perfect timing and style that shines. Their conversation, especially the one between Manokamna’s co-sisters on the terrace, sparks up the dull moments in the narrative. Tinnu Anand, and a couple of other supporting artistes have also done a fine job and one would have liked to see a little more of them. He not only picks the leheza perfectly but also holds on to the character firmly throughout its journey.

Ditto Vijay Raaz, who is the representative of the patriarchal voice in a conservative family set-up. Brijendra Kala, although has less screen time, is perfectly cast. The supporting cast deserves special mention. It could have only made the film’s narrative that much more defined. And that could have strengthened the message that the film aims to deliver using her shoulders. Could the hurdles in her character’s journey have been tougher to cross? Yes. In fact, hers is the only character that has a strong and visible arc developing throughout the runtime. Her performance is consistent throughout the film. Nushrratt Bharuccha carries the film on her shoulders confidently. The locations, although explored in a few other films set in Madhya Pradesh before, have been used well. The cinematography and production design are on-point, too. The film has plenty of comedy gags playing out between the supporting actors which provide a lot of relief to the subject at hand. Though the lines are not the kind that will have instant recall value for being one of a kind, they are funny in most places. The screenplay is fast-paced through most of the 147-minute-run time. The film uses a generous dose of punchlines and witty one-liners, which Raaj is known for, to deliver the goods. What may seem like another story set in the heartland of India comes across as a funny and punch-line heavy narrative by writer Raaj Shandilyaa that addresses pertinent issues like abortion and contraception, especially the use of condoms for safe sex among other things. How she straddles through the initial challenges of her job, creating awareness among men and women in a small-town in Madhya Pradesh and how she brings her conservative family onto her side forms the rest of the narrative.

In her haste, she picks up a job as a sales representative at a local condom manufacturer Aadarniya’s (Brijendra Kala) company. Either she finds a job or she agrees to a matrimonial proposal that her parents have found for her.

Review: Manokamna Tripathi (Nushrratt Bharuccha) has a ticking time-bomb on her head. Will she find her family, seeped in conservative and orthodox ideologies, standing by her side eventually or will she paddle through all alone? The answer to this question forms a considerable part of the narrative. A tragic turn of events pushes Manokamna to immerse herself more emotionally and responsibly into the job than ever before. Story: Manokamna Tripathi is a sales representative working for a local condom manufacturer in Orcha, Madhya Pradesh.

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