Movie:  What’s Up Lagna Rating: ★★★ Genres: Drama Censor: UA Duration: 148 min. Studio / Presenter: Video Palace, Fincraft Media & Entertainment Producer: Jaee Joshi DOP: Sethu Sriram Director: Vishwas Joshi Cast:  Vaibhav Tatwawdi, Prarthana Behere, Veena Jagtap, Vandana Gupte, Ila Bhate, Sneha Raikar, Vidyadhar Joshi Movie Review by: Ulhas Shirke

Somebody has rightly said, ‘Marriages are made in heaven‘ . So, you never know, how and when two persons not knowing each other before, will meet by chance only to convert that meeting into lifetime relationship, called marriage. Latest released Marathi film ‘What’s Up Lagna‘, presents the story of most eligible young and smart IT engineer Aakash Pradhan( Vaibhav Tatwawaadi) & beautiful Ananya Mantri( Prarthana Behere) who wants to make a career in acting. While Aakash who hails from Pune, holds a respectable position of Associate V.P. in his company in Mumbai, Ananya the only daughter of well to do parents from Nashik is a stage actress and is trying hard to achieve name and fame in Mumbai. One day, Aakash who is on a business trip to Nashik meets Ananya, who also happens to hire the same vehicle.

During the journey, though their way of thinking is poles apart, circumstances bring them together again and again , which finally turns into friendship followed by their marriage, which is approved by Aakash’s mother ( Ila Bhate) and Ananya’s broad minded parents(Vidyadhar Joshi & Sneha Raikar) . However, both Aakash and Ananya instead of distributing cards in traditional way, send marriage party invitations to their friends, by appearing in a video which is shared on whatsapp. Instead of going through the actual marriage rituals, they invite the registrar of marriages at this party, to make it all official.

All looks well till the couple proceed for their honeymoon . The real trouble begins, during their honeymoon, when they are required to return half way. On their return to Mumbai, both of them become so busy that they hardly find time for communication and sex. This results in misunderstandings, as Aakash believes in keeping the house neat and clean, while Ananya is lazy doing household things, as she is not used to it. Their marriage is on the verge of break up, when in comes Daji Kaka ( Vikram Gokhale) , who shows them the way to live happily. All is well at the end, when both find time for each other.

This is the debut of producer turned director Vishwas Joshi, who has presented the film very well in the first half, with interesting happenings & selection of good locations. He has cleverly marketed some of the brands through this film. However, in the post interval, the screenplay fails to impress, with the length of the film stretched to 2 hours 28 minutes. It would have been better, if the film was restricted to 2 hours duration.

Both Vaibhav and Prarthana have given their best through their sincere performances in all those intimate scenes and expressing their emotions well . Good support comes from supporting artistes like Vikram Gokhale, Vandana Gupte, Vidyadhar Joshi, Sneha Raikar& Ila Bhate, who look very natural in their respective roles. Sunil Barve and TV actress Veena Jagtap have been wasted in this film, with hardly any scope. They are just namesake in this film.

Technically this is a well made film, with wonderful cinematography by Setu Shreeram. He has captured the beauty of Nashik very well. Even some of the close up scenes have been captured by him skillfully. Music by Nilesh Moharir and Troy Arif is just fine . Shailesh Mahadik’s art direction and Sonal Kharade’s costume designs are the other plus points of this film, which may appeal youngsters. All in all ‘What’s Up Lagna‘ has turned out to be a little above average film.