When cousins get together, inevitably it’s a riot.
And that’s exactly what happens in Bangalore Days when childhood playmates and cousins Divya, Kuttan and Arjun, meet up in the city.
Divya (Nazriya Nazim) arrives in Bengaluru following her marriage to Das, (Fahad Faasil) a corporate executive. Kuttan, (Nivin Pauly) an IT professional, also works there, as does the other cousin, Arjun, (Dulquer Salman) a graffiti artist and a motorbike racer.
Living in a new city with her husband, who barely talks and is mostly away on official tours, Divya’s companions are her two cousins. And the trio has a blast together. But once the picnic is over, they return to their own lives where they confront reality.
Divya’s vivacity is a contrast to Das’ aloofness and that comes in the way of their building a new relationship. Her curiosity is piqued when Das points to a room in their apartment that he keeps locked all the time, tells her, “It’s all old stuff.”
Arjun’s anger is directed at his divorced parents and the pain of loneliness is a constant thorn hurting him. Crazy over bikes, he has pinned his ambitions on the race track.
Kuttan is the typical Malayali, rooted to his native soil and very traditional in outlook. When his father is seriously ill, he takes a flight home and while on board he falls in love with an air steward (Isha Talwar). It’s amusing to watch the smitten Kuttan going through a make-over with spiked hair and a wardrobe change as he tries to fit in with the glamorous and beautiful air steward.
Anjali Menon’s narration is simple and straight. The bonhomie of the cousins is believable. Nazriya, Nivin and Dulquer share a great comfort level together onscreen. Menon’s little touches add freshness to the story. My favourite is the scene where Das meets Divya at her home for the first time. It is the traditional boy meeting girl ceremony. After the family introductions are done they are left alone to chat. Das tells Divya that he wants her to know that there has been another woman in his life. And he would understand if she was not keen on the marriage. Did she have anything to share, he then asks her. Looking bewildered, Divya reveals to him that the sweets placed on the table were not prepared by her as claimed by her mother, a while ago. As the duo break into a laugh, Divya’s puppy runs in and the next scene shows the two bonding over the dog, much to the delight of the parents who enter the room at that moment.
With a cast who fit snug into their roles, Menon presents a story that will appeal to viewers of all ages. Every actor has put in a commendable performance. Yet one pair that remains with you for long is that of Arjun and Sarah, the physically challenged RJ, whose ebullience on air wins the heart of the ‘I don’t care a damn,’ Arjun.
Dulquer’s rugged charm matches his performance and Parvathy Menon is just brilliant. She is one actress whose eyes express before the words tumble out. Kalpana as Kuttan’s mum will have you in splits. Nithya Menon is a beautiful surprise. I even liked the bit about the Tamil maid who does not seem to approve of Divya as Das’ wife.
Go for Bangalore Days, a light- hearted entertainer with family and friends. And if your cousins are around, don’t forget to take them along.
Bangalore Days releases in the UAE on July 3.
