Manihar Movie Review : This film is a tale of lost potential and disappointing execution

Story: Ballu, a bangle seller from a small town in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, is eagerly preparing for his wedding. However, life takes an unexpected turn when he begins to experience problems with his eyesight.

Review: As the plot of ‘Manihar’ unfolds in the first fifteen minutes, it gives the impression of being an adaptation of a short story by a vernacular literary giant. However, as the film progresses, all the positive expectations established early on begin to dissipate. Despite its simple yet intriguing premise, the film ultimately falls flat by the end of its runtime. The initial promise quickly fades, leaving viewers disappointed with its execution.

‘Manihar’ is a simple film that tells the story of Ballu (Badrul Islam), a poor bangle seller from a small village in Uttar Pradesh. Encouraged by matchmaker Sadi Ram (CP Bhatt), Ballu receives a proposal to marry Savitri (Roshni Rastogi). When the two families meet, they instantly like each other and quickly begin discussing wedding plans. However, Ballu's life takes a turn when he develops eyesight issues, rendering him unable to see at night. On the wedding day, Savitri’s wrestler brother, Balwant (Sunny Thakur), discovers Ballu's condition and decides to cancel the wedding. Furious, Ballu vows to take revenge by learning wrestling and defeating Balwant at his own game.

This comedy-drama could have been a much better film with more attention to the screenplay. The tension-filled moments are handled in an amateurish manner, making one wonder why the writer could not come up with a better version. Even the comedic scenes fail to elicit any laughter. The scene where a character decides to ruin the wedding solely because the barber didn't do his job seems trivial and laughable. The film does a commendable job of capturing the rustic milieu, which looks genuine and authentic. ‘Manihar’ is an extremely simple film with a linear plot, virtually no action sequences, and boats as the mode of commute, enhancing its rural appeal. However, despite its appealing exterior, the film lacks depth and soul.

Badrul Islam as Ballu and Roshni Rastogi as Savitri deliver average performances. Among the supporting cast, only CP Bhatt, as Sadi Ram, manages to engage the viewers. Sanjeev Rajput’s direction fails to make an impact. ‘Manihar’ had the potential to excite viewers with its simplistic plot, but it appears the makers were unwilling to invest the necessary effort. Ultimately, it’s a soulless film that squanders a promising premise.