Breezy and fun-filled entertainer
Continuing its winning streak with successful web series Bhaukaal, Samantar and Naked, MXPlayer added Mannphodganj Ki Binny, which is a wholesome entertainer. A 10-episode web series, produced by Applause Entertainment and DJ Creative Unit, Mannphodganj Ki Binny takes a potshot at the state of relationships and marriage system prevalent in our society.
Story
Binny (Pranati Rai Prakash) is the only daughter of Brajesh (Atul Shrivastava), who runs a lingerie business in Mannphodganj.
Binny is a happy-go-lucky girl who has her eyes skyward and sees the world through colour tinted glasses. As a result, Binny loves Rahul Pandey (Fahmaan Khan), who is the son of a rich MLA.
In addition, Brajesh and his wife Kumud (Alka Badola Kaushal) are also on the hunt for a suitable groom for Binny, who is more inclined for a love marriage rather than an arranged marriage as decided by her parents.
Tarun (Aru Krishansh Verma) is a government employee and Harsh (Samar Varmani), an NRI, are in line along with Raja Bhai (Anurag Sinha), from Banda, who’s always had a crush on Binny and for whom Brajesh too had a soft corner also joins the race to chase and hold the hand of Binny.
Now it’s Binny to decide the most eligible Mr Right. Many hearts get broken in the process while Binny realizes the true essence of relationship and marriage which turn out to bring more happiness for her and her parents in the end.
Performances
Mannphodganj Ki Binny obviously belongs to Pranati Rai Prakash, who got a dream role to display her talent and expertise in delivering an outstanding performance. As the bubbly, energetic, beautiful and smart young girl Binny, with her own set of rules, norms and beliefs, Prakash outperforms all the actors with her immaculate performance.
Other noteworthy performances which deserve special appreciation are from Shrivastava and Kaushal.
Anurag Sinha, as Raja Bhai, also gives a superlative performance with good comic timing that is quite enjoyable all through.
Positives
The complexities of a middle class family with a young daughter who is ready for marriage are presented with true perspective. Their fears amidst the desire to find a suitable groom to the daughter despite many constraints and myriad sentiments are very well conveyed through the characters of Binny’s parents.
Scenes involving Raju Bhai and his friends, who land up in trouble when they try to convey the feelings of Raja bhai towards Binny, are rib tickling and slickly presented.
A well-written story by Amitosh Nagpal, which is based on the book Band, Baaja, Boys by Rachna Singh, is spot on with brilliant translation of the same onto the screen.
Negatives
Some scenes to incite laughter could have been trimmed to ensure more deftness of the story.
Worth it?
Watch this for some refreshingly different content that illustrates mundane middle class mindsets with a dash of comedy and without the usual sleaze, horror or crime.
