Kochi, March 15, 2025: Director Deepu Karunakaran's Mr & Mrs Bachelor, starring the unconventional pairing of Indrajith Sukumaran and Anaswara Rajan, attempts to breathe fresh life into the fake-marriage trope with mixed results. While the film's sparkling lead chemistry and some genuinely hilarious moments make it an enjoyable watch, an overstretched second half and predictable plot twists prevent it from becoming a genre standout.
Plot: Familiar Territory with Some Fresh Twists
The story follows Arjun (Indrajith Sukumaran), a 40-something bachelor content with his carefree lifestyle, and Meera (Anaswara Rajan), a young architect facing family pressure to marry. When circumstances force them into a marriage of convenience, the expected chaos ensues - but with some contemporary updates to the formula.
Writer Arjun T. Sathyan deserves credit for crafting dialogue that feels authentic to today's youth, particularly in scenes addressing generational clashes about marriage norms. A standout sequence involves Meera's viral social media post about societal hypocrisy that sparks both laughter and reflection.
Performances: The Film's Beating Heart
Indrajith Sukumaran delivers a career-best comedic performance, perfectly balancing Arjun's swagger with underlying vulnerability. Anaswara Rajan continues her ascent as one of Malayalam cinema's most promising young talents, bringing remarkable depth to what could have been a stereotypical "manic pixie dream girl" role.
The supporting cast, including Saiju Kurup as Arjun's perpetually exasperated best friend and Devi Ajith as Meera's progressive-minded mother, provide excellent comic relief. However, the film underutilizes some talented actors in thinly written roles.
Technical Aspects: Polished but Safe
Cinematographer Alby captures Kochi's urban landscape with a vibrant palette that complements the film's light tone. Editor Saiju Sreedharan keeps the pacing snappy in the first half, though the film loses steam post-intermission with unnecessary subplots.
Vishnu Vijay's music is serviceable if unmemorable, with the exception of a beautifully shot romantic montage set to the melancholic "Manassile." The production design deserves special mention for its authentic portrayal of contemporary urban Malayali lifestyles.
Social Commentary: Hits and Misses
The film's most compelling aspect is its examination of changing attitudes toward marriage in Kerala's urban middle class. A poignant scene where Arjun breaks down while discussing societal expectations of masculinity is particularly effective.
However, the screenplay occasionally undermines its progressive themes with regressive jokes, particularly around body image and gender roles. The age gap between the leads (Indrajith is 47, Anaswara 22) also goes largely unexamined, which feels like a missed opportunity for deeper exploration.
Verdict: Flawed but Entertaining
Mr & Mrs Bachelor succeeds as a weekend popcorn entertainer but falls short of its potential as a groundbreaking rom-com. The lead pair's chemistry and some sharp writing make it worth watching, though viewers may find themselves wishing for more substance beneath the glossy surface.
Rating: 3/5
Highlights: Lead performances, first-half humor, production values
Drawbacks: Uneven pacing, some tone-deaf humor, wasted supporting cast
Now showing in theaters. Runtime: 148 minutes. Contains some adult humor.