Indian medley

On the wrong side of 20s, as Pia attends her younger sister’s wedding, the pressure to get married is immense. In comes a Panditji, who predicts that one of her next five dates is going to be her forever happily after. Her dream venture, Ninth Mandala, is about to collapse, and as Pia fights self-doubt, she asks her family to arrange for the dates.

And thus begins a rollicking journey. Her first date is a billionaire heir of a shipping company who is a pearl-donning man child. The second one offers ultimate romance but turns out to have serious ‘mommy’ issues. The third one seems just perfect, a guitar-playing yoga guru, but imagine, he’s a flat earther!

Through it all is the family — divorced parents, sisterly drama and unending wedding rituals.

The film reminds one faintly of another British comedy, ‘Bend It Like Beckham’, largely because of its setting in London. One is invested in Pia’s journey, played by the alluring Simone Ashley. Jay (Luke Fetherston), her gay bestie, and also her partner in her photography venture, keeps it engaging. Trust Sindhu Vee to make things entertaining no matter what the platform is, and here she shines as the mother of two and a woman in her own right.

Interestingly, the story, based on Australian romantic comedy ‘Five Blind Dates’, takes a different spin. Ashley, known for ‘Bridgerton’, shines in ‘Picture This’. She looks ravishing in the ethnic ensemble, and acts charmingly well. The lighting and costumes make her dazzle on screen. Luke Fetherston stands out as a protective friend and adds to the comic appeal with his interest in Panditji. Hero Fiennes Tiffin supports the leading lady well with his understated performance. One grooves to ‘Mundian toh bach ke rahin’, the Indian wedding anthem around the world.

On the downside, the viral monologue seems forced. Every film with an Indian wedding setting duly deserves a rocking song of its own, which is missing in ‘Picture This’. Also, making the best friend ‘gay’ is absolutely unnecessary.

Prarthana Mohan’s directorial sure enough stereotypes India though not uncharitably. If you can overlook one young-old love track and a few cliches, ‘Picture This’ is a one-time watch for it sets up a good premise in the first half and doesn’t do too shabbily in the second!