Pati Patni Aur Woh

Pati Patni Aur Woh is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy, offering a modern, quirky reboot to the 1978 movie of the same name that humorously depicts the trials and tribulations of married life. The film features a talented ensemble cast that includes Kartik Aaryan, Bhumi Pednekar, and the rising star Ananya Panday, and is skilfully directed by Mudassar Aziz. It is a delightful mix of humor, realism, and drama, offering an artistic portrayal of the complexities of relationships and human longing for love and affection.

Set in the city of Kanpur, the film centres around Abhinav Tyagi, played by Kartik Aaryan, a civil engineer working in the Public Works Department, who is weighed down by the drudgery of a monotonous job and an equally predictable married life. Kartik Aaryan excellently encapsulates the character's wearied innocence, laced with juvenile dreams and aspirations, and gives a nuanced performance.

The movie presents Bhumi Pednekar as Vedika, his wife and the 'Patni,' who is a modern, independent woman, a teacher by profession. Vedika is a stark contrast to Abhinav's simplicity, radiating a certain charm and audacity. Pednekar effortlessly plays the character and imbues strength and spunk into Vedika, simultaneously holding the role's vulnerability and emotional depth. Their marriage is seemingly pleasant and functional, yet the monotony sparks an urge for novelty in Abhinav.

The story takes a witty turn when the 'Woh' enters their lives, Tapasya, portrayed by Ananya Pandey, a fashionable, confident young woman from Delhi seeking a plot of land in Kanpur for her start-up. Her entry brings about a whiff of excitement to Abhinav's life; subsequently, he becomes infatuated with her. Pandey confidently handles her role and proves her caliber, charming the audience with her shrewd innocence and naïveté, and people quickly develop a liking towards her charming character.

Getting caught in this twist of excitement, Abhinav starts spinning a web of lies to spend time with Tapasya, portraying himself as a victim of an unhappy marriage, unbeknownst to his wife. This leads to a series of humorous and chaotic circumstances, which serve as the crux of the story.

Pati Patni Aur Woh is full of laughs and light-hearted comedy, yet it subtly nudges at the significance of communication and understanding in marriage and confronts male entitlement. The screenplay is crisp with nuanced dialogues that are a perfect blend of humor and irony. There are even moments of enlightenment, revealing the inner philosophy of mundane lives, relationships, and societal norms in a lighthearted manner. The skillful direction of Mudassar Aziz instills a sort of realism in these characters, making them relatable to the audience.

The music and the background score, heavily ingrained in the film, offer another refreshing facet. It beautifully complements the narrative, setting the mood and heightening scene-specific emotions. Moreover, the cinematography successfully presents the aesthetics of small-town India and is laudable for its simplicity.

Overall, Pati Patni Aur Woh provides a fresh perspective on relationships and matrimony through its captivating storyline and engaging performances. While the movie primarily veers towards a comedy of errors, it doesn't shy away from underlining the crucial issues pertaining to a marriage and the importance of connection and empathy in any relationship. The film charmingly brings forth a simple yet convincing narrative about the ordinary lives of three individuals embroiled in a hilarious tale of romance, deceit, and realization.