Photograph

The story follows Rafi, a determined street photographer played by Nawaz, who toils day and night in Mumbai to clear an old family debt. His life intersects with Miloni, portrayed by Sanya Malhotra, a young woman whose family dictates every aspect of her life—from her career path as she prepares for her Chartered Accountancy to her wardrobe choices. Deep down, Miloni longs for independence and a chance to shape her own identity. Their first encounter occurs when Rafi captures her image at the picturesque Gateway of India during one of his photography sessions.

Adding depth to Miloni’s domestic backdrop, we meet Rampyaari, a maid played by Geetanjali Kulkarni, along with Miloni’s family members: her father Kanti Bhai (Sachin Khedekar), her supporting elder sister Saloni (Brinda Trivedi), and her mother Sheilaben (Lubna Salim). Despite excelling in drama during her school years, Miloni finds herself unsupported by her family in pursuing her passions.

At her coaching institute, Miloni considers Anmol (Jim Sarbh) as her mentor and a guiding force, with great expectations from him. Meanwhile, Rafi’s beloved grandmother, played by Farrukh Jaffar, incessantly pressures him to settle down, leading to an amusing yet heartfelt quest for a bride that leaves Rafi the subject of neighborhood giggles. Supported by his friends Zakir Bhai (Saharsh Kumar Shukla) and Raghu (Shreedhar Dubey), Rafi manages to convince his grandmother of his interest in Miloni, whom he refers to as Noorie.

After locating Miloni through a billboard, Rafi persuades her to join in this charade, obliging her family beliefs and curtailing their expectations. In a poignant exchange, Rafi reveals his struggles — having lost his parents when he was young, he bears the responsibility of his elder sisters. Miloni, too, confesses to her lack of family ties, winning the grandmother’s affection, which leads to gifts of family heirlooms.

As events unfold, Miloni’s home welcomes Hasmukh Bhai (Denzil Smith) and his son, who are eager to consider Miloni as a potential bride for Chintan, a well-educated prospect heading to the US for an MBA. Meanwhile, Rafi’s grandmother frets over Miloni potentially out-earning Rafi, urging him to enhance his career prospects.

Throughout their association, Miloni and Rafi discover common ground: nostalgic memories tied to their childhood. A visit to the beach opens Miloni’s eyes to Rafi’s world, while family pressures compel her to reject Chintan’s advances, much to her family’s discontent. Rafi exhibits devotion by attempting to track down a vintage soft drink, Campa Cola, which has personal significance for Miloni.

In a twist of fate, Anmol pursues Miloni for a coffee date, but she chooses to leave with Rafi instead. Their relationship deepens as they share a meal of hot fritters at Rafi’s modest residence. A supernatural encounter with the ghost of Tiwari (Vijay Raaz) reveals poignant emotions, suggesting Miloni harbors feelings for Rafi too.

As Rafi grapples with familial burdens, his grandmother confronts him with painful truths about Miloni’s identity. She encourages him to release the shackles of the past and pursue a future unencumbered by historic debts. The plot thickens as Rafi finds a hidden gem: a functioning Campa Cola factory, resulting in a special reunion with nostalgia.

The film culminates in a shared outing to the cinema for Rafi and Miloni, though they leave disillusioned halfway through the film, stemming from a shared understanding of life’s vast emotional landscape: a love story that faces obstacles rooted in socioeconomic disparities. Thus, their unique bond continues to bloom against the backdrop of a constantly bustling city, revealing the intricacies of love, dreams, and societal expectations.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:43