Mango Souffle Review {1.5/5} & Review Rating
Lotus Piktures' MANGO SOUFFLE, directed by Mahesh Dattani, sheds light on an issue that has rarely been projected on the Indian screen.
To get out of his self-imposed exile, Kamlesh [Ankul Vikal] invites his friends over for brunch at his beautiful and stylish farmhouse. His friends include Sharad [Faredoon Dodo Bhujwala], a witty, intelligent and sharp-tongued man who is struggling to keep his relationship with Kamlesh going, Deepali [Heeba Shah], Ranjit [Denzil Smith] and Bunny [Sanjit Bedi].
The surprise visitors to this brunch party are Kamlesh's sister Kiran [Rinke Khanna] and her fianc?d [Atul Kulkarni]. Their presence sparks off the conflict. Kamlesh's friends are shocked to realize the truth and are the only ones who can help resolve the conflict.
Will Kamlesh find happiness in his relationship with Sharad? Can Kiran make a go at her marriage with Ed? Does Ed really love Kiran?
A big screen adaptation of an English play ON A MUGGY NIGHT IN MUMBAI, MANGO SOUFFLE takes a look at the not-so-straight preferences of several people.
Although the film tackles a theme that is bound to catch the orthodox Indian audiences by surprise, there's no denying the fact that Dattani makes an honest effort to portray the complexity of relationships with utmost sensitivity. There's no vulgarity, there's no effort to play to the gallery, there's no attempt to provide cheap thrills in the form of entertainment.
Although the subject of the film is its USP, the only area where the film suffers is its pace, which tends to slacken at times. But a very convincing culmination to the story more than compensates for this flaw.
Despite the fact that MANGO SOUFFLE happens to be his first film as a director, Mahesh Dattani doesn't show any signs of being a first-timer. He seems to possess a sound knowledge of technique, besides being a gifted writer. Also, Dattani has extracted wonderful performances from a majority of the cast.
Rinke Khanna towers above all with a first-rate performance. Extremely confident, the actress gives her role the right texture. Faredoon Dodo Bhujwala is a surprise. Handling his role with utmost ease, the actor is admirable.
Atul Kulkarni is a complete miscast. Also, the conscious effort he makes to speak his lines in English language is too evident. Ankur Vikal does his part well. Heeba Shah is alright. Denzil Smith is excellent. Sanjit Bedi fails to impress.
On the whole, MANGO SOUFFLE tackles a theme that may raise eyebrows. At the box-office, a subject like this may find some flavour with the youth in metros of India.