'Second Marriage Dot Com' - A film about two elderly people going through second marriage which has been arranged by their children. A novel theme? Yes. Absolutely unique? No. Reason being that a film on the same lines, which again came with a twist in the tale, has been made seven years back.
The film was 'Pyaar Mein Twist' (2005) and it had featured Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh in the lead. It carried the plotline of the veterans falling in love and defying social norms.
Now in 'Second Marriage Dot Com', it is an arranged marriage between the characters played by Mohit Chauhan (not to be mistaken with the singer) and Charu Rohatgi. Of course they are hesitant but their respective children (Vishal Nayak, Sayani Gupta) prod them to give it a shot. The match is made, albeit with a twist. Now Vishal and Sayani are also in love.
A plotline like this had immense possibilities. It could have been a social flick, a realistic drama or perhaps, even an out and out comedy.
However first time director Gaurav Panjwani ends up narrating a tale which appeals only in bits and parts and at times even ends up entering the dark zone, something that could have been possibly avoided.
Reason being that the film starts off on a light hearted note. The match making with all the awkwardness that follows and the celebrations that ensue are made of scenes and situations that one can relate to.
All is indeed well but when the crucial twist in the tale takes place, the proceedings end up becoming a little too erratic. This is where you do feel that a better hold on the proceedings would have made 'Second Marriage Dot Com' a much better told story.
One can definitely understand the predicament that the writer and the director must have gone through here. After all, it is a sensitive tale being told and taking into consideration the fact that second marriage itself is a social taboo in so many circles, the fact that the children of this couple falling in love has enough spark in it to open further debates.
Hence, the need of the hour was to strike a balance lest things go totally out of control. Still, from the cinematic quotient perspective, one feels that there is something definitely amiss.
Thankfully the film doesn't go entirely haywire and performances further save the day for the film. Actors playing the senior roles are totally in the character and they do convey the right emotions.
Debutants Vishal Nayak and Sayani Gupta don't necessarily bear the kind of personality that makes them as instant quintessential Bollywood material. Still, for their respective parts, they do good justice.
Overall though the film turns out to be an okay watch which may just make for a one time DVD watch. As for the theatrical run, it would anyways struggle since it has hardly found an all-India release and that too at erratic show timings.
Rating: **
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