Ashok Khosla, an NRI bachelor has decided to give a try to the arranged marriage concept. A decent Arrangement movie review…
A Decent Arrangement is the story of Ashok Khosla, an Indian-American copywriter who journeys to India seeking an arranged marriage.
The story revolves around a 30 something American-born Desi man Ashok (Laupus) who comes to India in search of a bride. A Decent Arrangement starts with the pivotal character – this NRI man using various modes of transport to reach the house of his older cousin (Shabana Azmi), who has taken interest in finding a desi girl for her brother.
As his parents find him unsettled in life, Ashok is shown as a confused character who feels excited at the idea of arranged marriage, yet wants a life partner who could be comfortable with the life back in the USA.
He more at ease with discussing the proposals with his neice (Shreya Sharma) who is more focussed about her life and suggests at several instances to her mama (uncle).
Guided by his well intentioned but overbearing cousin Preeti, he meets prospective brides and their parents but he has difficulty connecting across the cultural divide. By chance Ashok meets Lorie, an American woman traveling through India in search of new experiences. Lorie’s perspective challenges the insular Ashok to think about the choice he is about to make.
Meanwhile Ashok is set up with Amita, an Indian woman burdened by a sense of tradition but struggling to approach life on her terms. Unexpectedly attracted to her, Ashok is intrigued by Amita’s conflict, which he finds similar to his own.
As the process continues, the bond between Ashok and his Indian family grows stronger, and he begins to address the realities of a proposed arrangement. Under the influence of his new relationships, Ashok examines not only his place in two cultures but also his own motivations.
As an impending engagement to Amita approaches, Ashok’s parents arrive to cement the deal, setting off events that force Ashok to finally seek his own resolution.
One thing clearly evident is Director Sarovar Banka’s keen observational eye in the outdoor scenes which depict the modern India still to come in terms with the traditional lifestyle for example, the cycle rickshaw plying on the roads of the well planned city of India.
What the director has achieved is an outsider’s eye inside the perspective of India, its people and a vivid projection of personalities with storytelling at a leisurely pace.
Click on the Thumbnails for ENLARGED PICS:
Cast:
Shabana Azmi as Preeti Mehta
Adam Laupus as Ashok Kholsla
Lethia Nall as Lorie Sanders
Diksha Basu as Amita Chadra
Farid Currim as Bashi Mehta
Shreya Sharma as Suriya Mehta
Navniit Nisshan as Gita Khosla
Vikram Kadapia as Arun Kholsa
Credits:
Banner: Secret Pact Productions
Distributor: Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited
Producer: Sarovar Banka
Co-Producer: K.M. Das (Riju)
Directed and Written by: Sarovar Banka
Sound Designer : Anita Kushwaha
Casting : Avani Parikh (India) & Gita Reddy (U.S.)
Editor: Tom Quinn
Composer:Neel Murgai
Art Director : Priten Patil
Costumes: Roopa Sood
Post Production Supervisor: Maneej Premnath
Line Production: Kurm Event & Production
Original Negative Processing: Kodak Mumbai
Digital Intermediate: Reliance MediaWorks, Mumbai
Pre-mix and Sound Design: Canaries, Mumbai
Theatrical Mix: Futureworks, Mumbai
Shooting Locations: Chandigarh, India
Media Relation: Ashwani Shukla, Altair Media