CAST: Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte, Huma Qureshi, Anushka Ranjan, Zayn Marie Khan
DIRECTOR: Vasan Bala
Jayant Arkhedkar (Rajkummar Rao) is a tech and robotics geek, with a rags-to-riches background. Engaged to the daughter (Akansha Ranjan) of the CEO of his company; at loggerheads with her brother (Sikandar Kher); and in an illicit relationship with the saucy secretary (Huma Qureshi) of the CEO, things start to fall apart for him when his company is beset with a string of murders. And he’s prime suspect in the eyes of investigating officer, ACP Naidu (Radhika Apte).
Monica O My Darling is written by Yogesh Chandekar, directed by Vasan Bala, and inspired by Keigo Higashino’s story, ‘Burutasu no Shinzou’.
Vasan Bala has cooked a delectable neo-noir whodunnit murder mystery, that gets better with each scene, and whose effect stays with you long after you have finished it all.
A series of murders happen in the Unicorn Group, where Jayant lands a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When all the fingers point at him, he must find out who the murderer is, and the clear involvement that he might have had with those who are dropping dead, to save himself from getting killed at the same time.
Rajkummar Rao is the perfect choice for the role of the IIT techie who has discovered the good life, but is overwhelmed by it all, and by the misfortune that befalls him. He’s excellent and eminently convincing as Jayant. Huma Qureshi matches him note for note with a suitably enigmatic persona. Radhika Apte has a comparatively shorter screen time than these two, but delivers her bit for her favorite streamer.
Sikandar Kher is one of the best parts of the film with his endearing dialogues. The rest of the cast including Sukant Goel, Akansha Ranjan and Zayn Marie Khan lend suitable support to the narrative.
The film is stylish and the murders are paced perfectly with triggers to lend the audiences a non stop thriller ride.
The story presents a comedy of errors, set off by some nerve-wracking moments, and several foolhardy fiascos. Grey characters each have a skeleton in the cupboard. The characters, as eccentric as they come, are fleshed out with irreverence and embellished with a fun element of badass. More interestingly, the needle of suspicion is on every primary character in the story – each could be the murderer or murderers of the multiple gruesome, inventive murders in the narrative. Your mind works double time to pin the doer and the motive, and you succeed to an extent; and yet, fail too.
We almost laughed out at ” Chronology Samjheye” bit. IYKYK
The movie also presents an ode to the thrillers of the 70’s and that is a good surprise to uncover.
Spoiler Alert: The ending keeps you hanging in its ambiguity.
Achint Thakkar’s (SCAM: Harshad Mehta) music is a hat tip to RD Burman’s foot-tapping numbers of yore, recreating his popular ‘Monica O My Darling’ number in very foot tapping contemporary avatar. We loved the score. Atanu Mukherjee editing is efficient and crisp. Swapnil Sonawane’s cinematography is perfect for the narrative.
Overall, what a fun watch!
Definitely a binge.
