Differently Approaching The Concept of Long-Distance Relationships
Overview
Meenakshi Sundareshwar is an Indian rom-com drama that aired on Netflix on 5th November 2021. The relationship between the young couple listed above is highlighted in the film which skillfully demonstrates the intricacies of romantic relationships that are either long distance or faced by couples after getting married is the general premise of the film. The film is directed by Vivek Soni and produced by Karan Johar under his production house, Dharma Productions. The lead roles are played by Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani, a South Indian couple who relocated to the United States.
A temple situated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu that tells the story of fictionally anthropomorphized couples dividing India is featured in the title of the film, as does the Meenakshi Temple. The storylines and plot details of the film stand out for their charming portrayal of South Indian culture blended with new-age humor and emotional tales which is why this film gathers so much attention. It was released on Netflix on November 5, 2021.
Summary Of The Plot
The story follows two broad-minded youngsters, Meenakshi (Sanya Malhotra) and Sundareshwar (Abhimanyu Dassani) who belong to Madurai, Tamil Nadu and have their marriage conducted in an arranged form. Meenakshi’s character in the book is full of life, resonates deeply with Tamilian culture and is a voracious reader while Sundareshwar is reserved, aspiring to be in the IT field so he can proudly label himself as a working professional.
Shortly after completing their marriage rites, Sundareshwar is presented with a job opportunity at a highly reputed tech firm. The only caveat is that the job is in Bangalore, which is a considerable distance from their hometown. As a result, the couple is compelled into a long distance marriage at the exact moment they are trying to settle into their new life together.
The focus of the story encompasses the emotional, psychological, and pragmatic aspects of maintaining a long distance relationship. While these couples try to tackle career pressures, personal misunderstandings, and insecurities, they still try to preserve their bond through phone calls, texts, and rare in-person meetings.
Cast and Characters
Sanya Malhotra as Meenakshi
An articulate and self-reliant young woman who manages her love for literature and her Tamil traditions while aiding her husband from a distance.
Abhimanyu Dassani as Sundareshwar
A socially inept but earnest software engineer struggling to balance his personal life and the shifting demands of his new job.
Purnendu Bhattacharya as Sundareshwar’s Boss
One of Sundar’s superiors whose professional expectations add to Sundar’s already demanding work lifestyle.
Shanaya Kapoor as Shruti
Meenakshi’ friend who faces the problems of division and provides support for her friend.
Themes and Symbolism
- Long-Distance Relationships
One of the marriage issues the movie covers is the problem of being separated from one’s partner over the distance. It scrutinizes technology’s ability to bridge the gap between people while also highlighting the alienation and disconnection that usually characterize such relationships.
- Tradition Vs Modernity
The movie is set to Meenakshi Sundareshwar, which combines elements of She Tamil culture and traditions but also shows how modern India changes the landscape of marriage where individual goals and career rationally shatter the social norms of the family unit.
- Communication and Misunderstanding
The film shows how ineffective communication can deepen issues between couples, despite their shared goodwill, resulting in emotional distress from being stuck with problems that cannot be resolved.
- Career Ambition
Sundareshwar’s odyssey captures the new age Indian employee’s struggle of trying to manage their professional and personal lives, often sorely lacking in the emotional aspect to make it all work.
Cinematic Style And Direction
- Visual Aesthetics
The movie is pleasing to the eye as the colors used from the South of India are extremely rich and significant, ranging from beautiful sarees and iconic jewels to the legendary Meenakshi Temple that creates its back drop.
- Music And Score
The score of Meenakshi Sundareshwar was composed by Justin Prabhakaran, whose artistry merges the traditional sounds of South India to modern tunes. The songs “Tu Yahin Hai” and “Vaada Machaney,” capture the couple’s journey’s emotional peaks and valleys well.
- Direction And Screenplay
In Meenakshi Sundareshwar Vivek Soni appeared to have taken a light approach to the serious subjects of isolation and work-induced stress. The screenplay captures the essence of drama and comedy in a way that resonates with young couples.
Critical Reception
Positive Aspects
✔️ Strong Performances – Actors Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani were deeply praised for their great performances, which displayed heartfelt agency to their characters.
✔️ Cultural Representation – Thers was positive criticism towards the movie for the manner in which Tamil culture was approached and represented.
✔️ Relatable Story – Viewers positively criticized the self-designed notion of arranged marriages and the struggle of long distance marriages based on the plot of the movie.
Criticism
❌ Stereotyping – The criticism there focused on whether certain features of South Indian culture were too focused on the stereotype instead of having a deep representational impact.
❌ Predictable Plot – The story was seen by some critics as running in circles because it followed a well-known romantic drama structure with anticipated outcomes.
❌ Pacing Issues – A minority of reviewers are unhappy with the pacing of the film, particularly with how it is structured in its second half.
Box Office and Streaming Success
Meenakshi Sundareshwar, being an original film by Netflix, skipped the box office viewing but did well on the streaming service where it was in the Top 10 for several weeks after the release.
Accolades and Awards
The film received nominations in various Indian film award functions such as: 🏆 Best Actor (Female) – Sanya Malhotra
🏆 Best Original Soundtrack – Justin Prabhakaran
🏆 Best Cinematography – For showing South India in such vivid and authentic light
Final Thoughts
Meenakshi Sundareshwar is a delightful romantic drama revolving around the title characters that is incredibly nuanced in the portrayal of contemporary relationships. The film does follow a traditional rom-com narrative but to balance it out, it brings in warm-hearted performances and stunning visuals, along with other relevant aspects which makes this film a perfect watch for those who enjoy romantic comedies.